18 For
the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For
what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal
power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation
of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
NOTE: The first
point about God's righteousness is man's unrighteousness. Assumed is that God
created man to live up to a certain standard. And it is not just the existence
of God that is clear, but what can be made known about God. Paul says that his
invisible qualities are visible, that they have been shown to man.
Specifically, his eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen in creation.
God created a
perfect world which man corrupted by his rebellion. We weren't supposed to die.
We weren't supposed to suffer and see evil. But we did not want to submit to
God's rules (actually his one rule), and so we rebelled. There were
consequences, but the biggest consequence is that we got what we wanted. The
serpent said we could be like gods and we are like gods. The problem is that
was never a very good alternative. We need God--we don't need to be like a god.
And so now, fallen,
we are in the process of being restored. We are justified (those who put their
faith in Jesus). We are being sanctified (those who know God and choose to
respond to him). And for those he calls his own, we will be glorified when we
receive our new bodies that are no longer corrupted by sin. Then we can be what
God originally intended, godly and righteous creatures in service to Him.
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