"Professing to be wise, they became fools…" Romans 1:22

WHEN MAN PERSISTS IN DOING HIS OWN THING

Paul paints a solemn picture of the stubborn ways of man! He knew, from experience alone, just how wicked man can be.

"Professing to be wise, they became fools,
and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image
made like corruptible man- and birds and four-footed animals
and creeping things."
Romans 1:22-23

1. Professing themselves to be wise

Why does man reject God? One possible reason, Paul points out, is that man thinks himself wise! He feels he can reason God out of his life. He figures that he does not need God at all!

2. They became fools

Man did not start off as fools! He became one! The day that he rules God out of his heart and mind, he becomes foolish!

3. Changed the glory of the incorruptible God

Can man really do without God? He soon finds that he needs God in his life. However, since he has turned his back on "the incorruptible God" what should he do now? Man decides that he would make his own gods!

a) He could make images of man for worship purposes.

b) He could also create images from birds.

c) Another alternative is to create images of four-footed beasts.

d) Yet another alternative is to create images from creeping things.

That has been the way of man ever since he rejected his Creator!

IS IT SO HARD TO BELIEVE IN GOD?

The answer is straightforward. No, it is not difficult to believe in God! All it takes is a bit of humility to bow in humble acknowledgment before the Creator-God! But sinful man will not bow the knee, even if his alternatives are ridiculous and absurd. We are reminded of Paul's words in another of his epistles.

"Where is the wise? Where is the scribe?
Where is the disputer of this age?
Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1 Corinthians 1:20

If only man would set aside his foolish pride and forsake the wisdom of this world! God's way is clear- "The just shall live by faith!"