Introduction

A man once received a letter from the bank warning him about his overdue payments. He ignored it. Then came a second and a third—each one a stronger warning. Eventually, his assets were seized. He had no one to blame but himself.

Romans 1:18-32 is God’s warning letter to humanity, showing what happens when people reject Him. It explains how turning from God leads to moral and spiritual decay and ultimately, judgment.

Background & Context

The book of Romans was written by Paul to the church in Rome. It systematically explains the gospel, beginning with the universal sinfulness of humanity. In this passage, Paul describes how people suppress the truth about God, leading to a downward spiral of sin and divine judgment.

Key Points

1. The Rejection of God Leads to Darkness (Romans 1:21-23)

“For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened.” (v. 21)

• People reject God, not out of ignorance, but by choice.
• This rejection results in foolish thinking and spiritual blindness.
• Sin begins when we fail to glorify God and give thanks.

👉 Application: Ask yourself, “Am I honoring God in my life, or am I living as if He doesn’t matter?”

2. The Consequence of Sin: God Gives Them Over (Romans 1:24-28)

“Therefore God gave them over to vile impurity…to a depraved mind, to do those things that are not proper.” (vv. 24, 28)

• Three times in this passage, it says “God gave them over.”
• This is a terrifying reality—when people persist in sin, God lets them go their way.
• Sin enslaves, and without God’s intervention, it leads to complete moral corruption.

👉 Application: Repentance is the way back. God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance. (Romans 2:4)

3. The Depth of Human Sin (Romans 1:29-32)

“They are filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, and evil…” (v. 29)

• Paul lists a series of sins that result from rejecting God.
• Sin is not just about “big” things; it includes greed, deceit, arrogance, and disobedience.
• Worse, some not only sin but also approve of sin in others (v. 32).

👉 Application: Are we tolerating sin in our lives or justifying it in our culture?

Practical Application

1. Recognize the danger of ignoring God. Like the man who ignored the bank warnings, ignoring God’s truth leads to destruction.
2. Examine your heart. Is there any area where you have rejected God’s authority?
3. Repent and turn back. Romans 2:4 reminds us that God’s kindness leads to repentance.

Conclusion

Romans 1 is not just about judgment—it’s a wake-up call. If we turn to God, there is hope and restoration. God’s desire is not to condemn but to bring us back to Himself.

Call to Action: Will you surrender every part of your life to Him today?