(Romans 1:18-21) The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.  For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

The Apostle Paul gives a clear description of what has brought about the fallen state of God’s creation.  It is quite simple; mankind has turned their backs to their creator.  We were created to be with God.  God created us to share with him and to live in his righteousness. Without God we now live in a world full of evil. Not only did mankind turn their backs to God, but they created false god substitutes.  And in our current depravity, we have created vast theories to deny God’s existence.

What has God done about mankind’s rebellion?  Well, since the beginning he has called for us to return to him, and out of his great love for us, when the time was right, he sent his Son to show us how to live a righteous life.  As a clear demonstration of his love for us, Jesus, God the Son, having no sin, took upon himself all the sins that mankind has committed throughout the ages, and suffered death on the cross to pay the price for all those sins.  Jesus covered our unrighteous acts so that we could be free to return to a right relationship with our God. 

The rampant evil acts that daily occur here on planet earth are the result of mankind’s rebellion against our creator. Paul explains the results of this rebellion, “but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

To the very end, many of mankind will continue to defy God.  I have been studying the book of Revelation; it is amazing the terrible destruction that God’s judgement will bring upon the earth, yet, in the midst of this destruction, many will refuse to repent.

 God, with great sacrifice, has prepared a way that we can enter the love and wonders that he has always wanted for his created ones.  If we let his light shine in our hearts, the darkness will flee, and our thinking will become clear.  This has always been God’s desire.