Destroying Foundations

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. - Romans 1:18-32

In this passage the Apostle Paul is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the downward spiral of mankind due to sin. It begins with the refusal of men to recognize God as the Creator. Paul states, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse”. How can this be? Surely, those living without the Word of God having been declared to them are innocent of this accusation! No! Every person ever born comes complete with a body, a soul, and a spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23) and it is by that God-given spirit that man knows enough about God to call on Him. As is revealed in Proverbs 20:27 –

The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD,
Searching all the inner depths of his heart.

Paul says they know “even His eternal power and Godhead”. In other words, they all know enough about God to humble themselves and earnestly seek Him. But most did not follow this course. Instead they “became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened”, all the while professing themselves to be wise. They “changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.” In other words, they worshipped the created things above God, who created them. Today, we call these people humanists and evolutionists. It really does not matter what they have been called down through the centuries, the description fits them all – they were unthankful, futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened from the light of true knowledge. The result of their influence has been a downward spiral of societal futility.

Families are broken apart from, sexual immorality, untrustworthiness, and unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful relationships resulting in divorce. After all, if man doesn’t honor his covenant with God (true marriage is a covenant with God), why will he honor his covenant with his wife? But, it doesn’t stop there, soon homosexuality and lesbianism surface, flouting God’s original intent for marriage – to beget godly seed. Too late man discovers that the foundation of every societal endeavor is a strong stable family and the society crumbles before them. As David wrote –

If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do? – Psalm 11:3

It is into such turmoil that Antichrist will be revealed as Paul warns the Thessalonians –

9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. – 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

The frightening truth is that God gives man what he wants, and He sends man strong delusion so they are unable to discern good from evil, right from wrong.

I believe we are skirting around the boundaries of this judgment even now in America. If we do not repent and return to God as a nation, we will collapse. The harbingers have been given and the warning signs are clearly visible. We must turn back and it must begin with those in the Church. God help us!