The American Wisdom Series 

 http://www.americanwisdomseries.com

Presents 

Romans Chapter 1

Caution to students of God's Word - Please remember two things when using our studies: #1. Our commentary is not God's Word. It is only our interpretation or understanding of "His Word" and even though we try our best to be accurate we may or may not be correct. #2. The King James translation, or any other translation, of the original Hebrew text has some words which were given different translations at different places probably because of the interpreters preconceived ideas of what they think God meant to say. For example: According to the notes in the "Dake's Annotated Reference Bible" the Hebrew word hayah in the KJV is Trans. (became) 67 times, (becamest or came to pass) 505 times, (become) 66 times, and (come to pass) 131 times, but for some reason in Genesis 1:2 it is translated (was)! That sure changes the way a person perceives the original creation of the earth, doesn't it?  Gen. 1:2 And the earth was (became) without form, ... Having said that, let us continue with our "Key Knowledge" lessons. These are pamphlets containing knowledge, we believe, you must have to fully and accurately unlock and understand the Word of God.

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

This Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,
 published at http://www.theseason.org/ 

 and now edited by people at
 The American Wisdom Series  

Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.

 Now here is our revised study of:

Romans Chapter 1

"Doctrinal, Sins, Old and New Nature, The Power of God."

Romans is the first in the order of the three great doctrinal epistles [letters] by the Apostle Paul. The other two are Ephesians, and Thessalonians. This is so because it contains the ABC's of the believer's education. Until we learn the lessons that Paul presents in Romans, our foundation of understanding of the rest of the doctrinal lessons will be very difficult to understand. The Holy Spirit has placed it first in Canonical order because it lies at the threshold of all "Church" teaching, and if we are wrong from the start here, we shall be wrong altogether.

Ephesians is the second Doctrinal letter, giving instruction of the great mystery of God, was always hidden and never before revealed. It tells of individuals of both Jews and Gentiles gathered out and made "a new man" in Christ, who is seated in the heavenlies. 

Thessalonians [I and II] are also doctrinal epistles [letters] from Paul, and these two letters were written to address our gathering to meet the Lord. In Romans we are "justified" in Christ; In Ephesians we become "sanctified" with the Lord, and in Thessalonians the lesson is in our being "glorified" with the Lord.

The subject here in Romans is the revelation of God's wrath against sin, and the basis upon which alone the sinner can stand in righteousness before the Father. The fundamental test is "The just shall live by Faith" [Romans 1:17] and it shows that Jew and Gentile alike fall short of the standard of God's glory.

The main feature to this book of Romans is that a large part of the book is committed to doctrinal teachings. It shows us that doctrine is the important part of the Christian's life, and that it dominates his life. It reveals exactly what God has done with "sins" and with "sin"; and how the saved sinner, taken out from the deepest degradation, is justified by faith. He is united to Christ in His death, burial, and resurrected life. Romans will teach us that though our "old Adam nature" continues with us until the end, that old nature continues in hostility to God. Yet, for those in Christ there is no judgment, and consequently, no separation "from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord".

We will notice another thing in Romans, as compared to say the book of Hebrews; both written by Paul. Though it sounds like two different authors, both books were written by Paul, and in each Paul address and talks the language that is common to those addressed in the Epistles, with regards to idioms and figures of speech, when he is trying to make a point.

Paul was born with his parents from the tribe of Benjamin, and spoke perfect Hebrew, and also was also learned in the Greek. Paul's education was in Hebrew, and his Greek was learned from the environment that he grew up in, which was a street Greek. Paul wrote this letter to the Romans in a language that the Romans would understand. When Paul does write, he usually writes on three levels of understanding. Many times the writings will have more than one meaning, or a richer meaning than appears on the surface, then when you first read the verse.

Paul wanted to go to Rome, and in this book he is writing the basics of Christianity to the Christians at Rome, and this letter is as rich today in understanding, as it was when the Romans first read Paul's letter. Paul never got to Rome until the closing years of his life, and then he arrived there as a prisoner. Paul was Roman born, even though his father was a Benjamite.

One other point that is important in the understanding of the book of Romans, and that is that it helps us to understand the three earth ages. 

Editor's note: The Bible starts in Genesis 1:1, in the beginning, but the period of time between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2 was millions or even trillions of years long, as we tell time.  Some time after the beginning God created all of our souls (the Bible refers to us as angels. We had angelic/celestial bodies then.) Then much later God created the earth for us to live on (the 1st earth age, the age of the dinosaurs) As near as I can figure (based on many passages of Scripture that those of us who love the Lord, will find scattered throughout the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments, and correctly divide), the 1st earth age ended when Lucifer, now called Satan rebelled against God. He wanting to be like God, and control things on earth his way not God's way.  When that happened God in His fierce anger destroyed that 1st earth age. This takes us to Genesis 1:2, the end of the age of the dinosaurs.

There was a 1st earth age, {the age of the dinosaurs, which occurred prior to Genesis 1:2). Prior to that 1st earth age all souls (we/us) were created, including Lucifer's/Satan's soul. 

In that 1st earth age, we created souls simply did not exist in the flesh bodies, but in a different form and substance, (celestial bodies) common to what we consider the angels to be in. Our present 2nd earth age could be close to fourteen thousand years old, with the historical forming of mankind (the races, including the white race) as recorded in Genesis 1:27. 

WHY DID GOD DESTROY THAT 1st EARTH AGE?

In that first earth age, Lucifer rebelled against God, and about one third of all souls, we angels. worshiped Lucifer, now called Satan, more than we worshiped God. So God chose to destroy that earth age, but not the souls within that age. From the time of the destruction of that earth age, God chose to form man in the flesh through conception in this 2nd earth age, just like the animal do. All the animal kingdom were in the flesh in that first earth age, and this is quite obvious by the many finds of carcasses of all sorts of living animal beings well dated by eons in time, and God only knows their time of creation.

It is time to take the limits that man's traditions have bound us to, and approach this letter that Paul wrote to the Romans, and expand our knowledge in the Word of God.

Romans 1:1 "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,"

Paul was not a volunteer into the service of God, but he was called by Jesus Christ to be His apostle. The word "apostle" means "one sent forth", Paul was sent forth to teach the Word of God to his fellow man.

Some of us after the first earth age, God chose, predestined, for a special purpose in this flesh life.  He chose not to give those of us in this group free will because He knew we had already made the choice to be faithful to Him in the first earth age. These brothers are referred to as "the elect" in the Bible.

(click link to see pamphlet) 
The "mysteries" of God's plan and His will...
#5161 God did not inspire Paul to attend a tent revival to convert him, nor did Paul come forward to an altar call. Jesus Christ simply knocked him off his horse with a lightning bolt and said "you're mine, dude"!
#1029     No "Altar Call" for Paul
#1026    "God's Elect"
#1792 "What predestination means"
#5101    It is unfortunate that traditional Christianity does not teach about the first earth age that existed back when Satan rebelled.
#4116  Many predestined according to God's will.
#5162 Man's "recorded" history, since the planting of the garden of Eden, only spans about 6000 years or SIX DAYS and the LORD'S DAY, the Millennium, fast approaches.
#4250   Most of us were created with "Free Will"  Most of us can choose good and therefore; life or evil and therefore; death. I say "Most of us can choose", but not all of us!
#2547But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
#5161Has God chosen you in Him before the foundation of the world, that you should be holy and without blame before Him in love:
#1517    He who speaks his own words is on an ego trip and you'll need a pooper scooper if you listen to them.
#4143    2 groups of humans:  The predestination group and The free choice group.
#4084    Some of us were chosen in the first earth age to be followers of Christ in this earth age.
#4116     Many predestined according to God's will.
#4119     I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life,
#4147     Paul was not saved by any alter call!  Paul was made an apostle by the "will of God", not by the "will of Paul".
#4250     Most of us were created with "Free Will"
#4094 We/Us (1st earth age) Ye (this present earth age)
#1532     Do you think you were born on __/__/__ by accident or has it occurred to you that you could be part of His plan?
#1549So if you are one of God's elect here is what John has to say to you:
#4084   Some of us were chosen in the first earth age to be followers of Christ in this earth age.
#4094   We/Us (1st earth age) Ye (this present earth age)
#4147     Paul was made an apostle by the "will of God", not by the "will of Paul".
 
  See(LIVE LINK)-Ephesians    

Romans 1:2 "(Which He had promised afore by His prophets in the holy scriptures,)"

God had promised in the Old Testament, by the prophets that He would send His servants to teach His Word.

Romans 1:3 "Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, Which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh,"

There were no surprises concerning any part of Jesus life; When He was born, or when He would be cut off, or crucified. Every part of Jesus life was prophesied, and Jesus even made a point of calling attention to that fact, as He would repeat, "It is written", or "Haven't you heard, it is written".

There are no surprises concerning Jesus Christ in either advent when you study the Word of God. The only problems that come, enter when you try to apply man's traditions to the Word of God, and set them over God's written Word. All matters then become confusing for they simply do not support one another.

There are many places in the Old Testament that foretold us of this time that Jesus would be born of a virgin, live in the flesh, and by His death and resurrection would have victory over Satan. That death is our hope and salvation, and it is mentioned as far back as Genesis 3:15; "And I [God] will put enmity between thee [Satan] and the woman [Eve], and between thy seed [the Kenites] and her seed [Jesus Christ]; It [Christ] shall bruise thy [Satan's] head, and thou [Satan] shalt bruise His [Christ's] heel."

Eve's Seed is our Lord Jesus Christ. While Satan's seed are the children, to the last generation, called the "Kenites". Those offspring were born from the sexual union between Eve and Satan [the serpent and the tree of good and evil] in the Garden of Eden. This bruising was done when the spikes were driven through Jesus Christ's heel, as he hung on the cross to pay the full price for our sins, once and for all time. God was telling us that He will put trouble between Eve's children [through Adam and Seth], and Satan's offspring through Cain, called the Kenites.

It is vital that you understand what went on in the Garden of Eden, for from that union came the offspring of Satan, the Kenites. The understanding of the Kenites is what the "Parable of the Fig Tree" is all about, and Jesus told us to learn it in Matthew 24:32, so that we will not be deceived in the latter days.

So we see that the coming of Jesus Christ was foretold long ago, and it should not have been a surprise when it did come.

Editor's comment: At least not since the mid 1500s, when Gutenburg invented movable type; Making the ability to print the Bible not only possible but affordable for every printer in the world.
How much do you believe God had to do with that invention!
I know Satan fought it all the way! 
See Live Link to-Letter to the Reader by the translators of the King James Bible

Romans 1:4 "And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:"

The documentation of this declaration that the Son of God would have the power, according to the Spirit of holiness [the Holy Spirit] over death is found in I Corinthians 15:55-57; "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" [55] "The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law." [56] "But thanks be to God, Which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." [57]

Jesus Christ totally defeated death for Himself, and in His death He went all the way back to those that lived in the beginning of this flesh age, and offered them life eternal if they would but receive Jesus Christ. I Peter 3:18-2; "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" [18] "By which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison," [19] "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is eight souls were saved by water." [20]

Jesus ripped those souls from the clutches of Satan's hand, when He preached and those lost souls accepted the salvation that Christ offered them. That is the power of the Spirit of God. Keep in mind that Jesus Christ's Divine spiritual nature in His resurrection is set here in contrast with His human flesh, as the seed of David.

Romans 1:5 "By Whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name:"

Through Jesus Christ, all gifts of grace and apostleship come forth to all races, nations and peoples.

Romans 1:6 "Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:"

You not only have those with "free will" been called to accept His offer of salvation through grace, but there are many others that came along like Paul, "the elect" who God has called for a certain purpose. Why would God call certain people? Because they were overcomers in that age that was, that first earth age. We will discuss this in detail in the eighth chapter of Romans. Paul's "free will" was to follow the traditions of men, and kill Christians, such a Stephen in Acts 7:58, 59; "And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul." [58] "And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." [59]

Those who are "called", or "chosen" are called the "elect of God", or the "election". God called Paul on the road to Damascus, struck him down with blindness, and change the entire course of Paul's life. Paul became a teacher in leading people to Christ, instead of a killer of Christians. God's call of Paul took priority over Paul's free will, which was to kill Christians on behalf of the same Kenite religious leaders that killed Christ, to protect their created traditions that ruled in the temple.

Romans 1:7 "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."

This letter is written to the saints, which are those that God has set aside. This letter is to be taught on three levels. Why is this?

On the first level, to those with free will, it is simply the one that by faith, and through adoption can have eternal life, and simple salvation.

However some have known since they were children that there was more to God's Word then what they were taught. God does interfere in their lives, and calls them to a certain purpose in their lives, without having to apologize on judgment day. This is because they were overcomers in the age that was. This is discussed in Romans 8:29, 30 where these elect were fore-ordained and justified.

Romans 8:29; "For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

Romans 8:30; "Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified."

To be "justified" means to be already judged in the age that was, the first earth age, which happened between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2, and is described in Jeremiah 4:23-26, because of their stand against Satan that this soul took then. For those that have already been judged, God can interfere in their lives without interfering with their "free will" because they have already proved their faithfulness to Him millions, even billions of years ago. Keep in mind that God will not force someone to love Him. Therefore, He will not interfere with someone that only has free will. This is because on judgment day, every soul will be judged by what choices they made, of their own free will.

Romans 1:8 "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world."

Rome was the capital of the world empire of that day, and there were Christians there that were believers who Paul wanted to teach.

Romans 1:9 "For God is my witness, Whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,"

Paul always remembered these Christians because Paul had always wanted to go there. When Paul finally went to Rome, he was bound in chains, and shipwrecked.

Romans 1:10 "Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you."

To be "prosperous" in Paul's mind, was to be able to go to Rome, and while on the way there he could be winning souls for Jesus Christ. That was the "will of God", and this goal came first in Paul's life.

Romans 1:11 "For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;"

Paul is saying that he wants to come to Rome, because he knows that he and those Christians there can help each other. Paul wanted to hear the good reports from the Roman Christians, and tell them of his own. That is what Christians are supposed to do, help and share the Word and experiences with each other.

Romans 1:12 "That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me."

The word "ignorant" is not a bad word, for Paul is simply telling these Christians that he wants them well informed on this subject.

Included in the many Christians in Rome, there were many Gentiles also that heard of Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection, and repented and believed on Jesus name.

Romans 1:14 "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise."

Paul is claiming that he is being sent to all three categories, the Greeks [Hellens, the Greek religious order]; The Barbarians which were the unbelievers, as well as the Jews, Israelites froim all 12 tribes. Paul's words and compassion carried much weight in the simplicity that he taught.

Romans 1:15 "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also."

There were two places that Paul wanted to go to, Asia and Rome. In every effort that Paul made to go there, God turned him back.

Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

Paul offered his teaching to the Jew first, and also to the "Hellenist", the Greek. The gospel, or good news of Christ's death and resurrection and victory over death is the only gospel that Paul taught. It is through Christ's shed blood that all men, of any race, could now have eternal life, and the hope of eternal salvation.

Though Paul mentions Jews here, remember that when Christ sent forth His disciples to preach the gospel in Matthew 10:6; they were instructed; "but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." The 'House of Israel" were the ten tribes that were scattered by the Assyrians on and prior to 722 B. C., and were known by many names at the time of Paul's ministry.

The Power of God unto salvation is now offered to anyone that will hear and believe on Jesus name.

Romans 1:17 "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written "The just shall live by faith."

If you believe, then that is your faith. To believe you have to have a knowledge and understanding of God's Word and how it applies to you. Then you live by that written Word of God, which includes the claiming of the promises that He has given to each of us that believe on His name. Faith is so much more then just saying a short verse, and quoting something in public as many of our Christian churches teach today. Faith is putting your entire life on all the promises that are stated in God's Word, and living your life like that is the only way that is possible for you.

It is going from one promise to another promise in your life, and everything you do requires another promise to hang your faith on. To have faith in something, requires a belief in something, and putting your confidence in your belief. Then you put your belief and confidence into action. You have to have a focal point for your faith, and to all Christians that are saved, that focal point is Jesus Christ, and His sacrifice on the cross. He paid the price, and that is cause enough for each of us to center our lives around Him, and His Word.

The promises of God are not just poured upon you, if you are ignorant of the Scriptures. You have to know to claim them when you talk to Him. You have to tell Him when you are ready for them to apply to you. Then those blessings will come, and it is your faith that makes it come to pass. With most of the promises that God made to us, there come conditions.

The "just" are those that try to live by faith, and it doesn't mean that they are perfect, but when they make the effort and live by faith, God will make the increases and blessings, and consider them perfect. Your perfection is in Christ, and what Jesus Christ did in overcoming the death on the cross is your perfection. This is not only applying to material things, but also wisdom and knowledge.

Romans 1:18 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness." 

Don't read into this verse what is not here. Paul is saying that "the wrath of God" is against all those men that hate the Word of God, and want nothing to do with what is taught in God's holy Word. They mock it and detest everything about the laws and truths of His Word. They twist the truths that are written by the prophets, and to where they make them a lie. They take the things that God hates, and call those things "of God". They will take things like Sodomy, that God says He hates, and somehow separate the sin from the sinner, and God doesn't do that. The sins of a sinner simply cannot be separated from the sinner, and the unrighteousness and those acts cannot be separated from those doing those acts.

However, when those men doing those unrighteous acts repent "in Jesus name", and turn from those evil acts, there is forgiveness for all sin through Jesus Christ, and believing on His name. When you repent of any sin, then you will no longer "hold the truth in unrighteousness". Why? Because that sin will be forgiven, and you simply will not do those things of sin again. When that person does slip and fall again, which they may do, they will repent and keep going in the word of the Lord.

God's wrath is against those men and women that will not read or believe in God's Word, and those that want nothing to do with His righteousness. If you love to study God's Word, and hold the Scriptures dear to you, there is simply no way that you could be classified as one that "holds the truths [Word of God] in unrighteousness". Many churches try to hold their people by fear, rather then by the Love of God".

Romans 1:19 "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them."

By looking at nature itself, God shows you enough that you can know that there is a God. A person that is just, though he has never studied the Scriptures, can see the handiwork of God in the stars, and sun and moon, and the very creation of earth and the animals around us to know that there is a God. Human reason and thought will let you know that God has made them.

Romans 1:20 "For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"

In other words, the entire Godhead can be recognized by the power of God in His works. We now can understand the age that was before our current flesh age by going out and looking at nature around us. All sorts of creatures can be found buried under rocks and sediment that has taken untold centuries and millions of years to form. This fact is common all over the world, and to limit souls and this earth to just six thousand years is to disregard the common sense that God has give to man [woman]. Even the most ancient of men had a simple understanding of God, and the fact that He was to be pleased. It was in their own imaginations that they created ways to please Him, and find favor with a God they did not know. This is what we call religion, a man made form to approach God, other then the form that God has set, through repentance in Jesus name, and belief in His Son, Jesus Christ.

In Job 40:15 states; "Behold now behemouth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox." The "behemouth" is the giant mamouth [dinosaur] that is extinct to this present earth age, yet their bones are dug up all over the earth, and even frozen in the tundra of Russia and in the Artic regions of the world, exactly as they lived when the violent force of that first age came to a close.

Every time a roadway is cut through a hill or mountain, we can see the layers of sediment that God has allowed to form in the different periods of time. Even to the point of finding fish and animal's remains where reason tells us that they should not be. Our own eyes show us that there is God.

Romans 1:21 "Because that when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."

We are going back to the first earth age here; "when they knew God". Those that knew God, and were not thankful to God, are the fallen angels. They were vain in their imaginations, and listened to Satan and became foolish in their heart. These are the fallen angels written of in the book of Jude, and Genesis 6 that are called the Nephilim in the Hebrew tongue.

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

If God told them not to leave there place of habitation, and they do so, they have to be fools.

Genesis 6:1, 2; "And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them," [1] "That the sons of God [the fallen angels, Nephilim in the Hebrew] saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose." [2]

These fallen angels didn't believe in, nor care about God's Word, and were willing to forfeit their very soul for the pleasures of the time. Jude 6 tells us of these foolish souls, called the fallen angels; "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day."

Romans 1:23 "And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things."

There is no way that God can be corrupted. This word "image" in the Greek tongue is "eikon" [or icon]. Strong's Greek dictionary #1504 says "a statue or representation" of the real thing". It is a representation made in man's image, and man is made in the image of God. Even Satan himself is even made in the image of God. Man came to worship the first man [or image of God] that fell, and that man was Satan. Man has changed the glory of the incorruptible God in his mind, into the worship of what they think God ought to be.

Even today man has come to worship anything that his eye can find pleasure in, the environment around us, the animals, and anything that he can form into an image. He creates his idols and things of beauty, and then he worships them.

Romans 1:24 "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:"

It was these lusts that caused those events of Geneses 6:1-8, and Jude 6.

Romans 1:25 "Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the creator, Who is blessed for ever. Amen."

In other words, they stopped worshipping God Himself, and begin to worship something that God had created [Satan]. This is like saying instead of worshipping the painter, they worshipped the painting. The painting both and the man are nothing, for they have lost sight of God in the handiworks of the artist.

God is the one that through His Son offers eternity, and when we start talking of billions of years, as we have in this chapter, man simply cannot comprehend eternity, with his relationship to time. Though time means nothing to God, man has to put everything to what his mind can understand, so man puts his limits on God. God existed before creation, and before time, and this gets beyond the limits that any created souls has the ability to understand. So instead of worshipping God as He is in His infinite wisdom, power and mercy, they have changed the truth of God's Word and Who He is, into their lie [a fabrication]. Then it becomes easier for man to worship the thing that he has created within his own mind. He then has a god that he can control.

You and only you have the choice of just who you will worship. The decision is between the "glory of an incorruptible God", infinite in wisdom, power and mercy, or a fake and cheap copy of the original [Satan]. The choice is between Jesus Christ, the Son of God, or Satan the creature that God created, that turned evil. If your choice is limited to what you fully understand, and can control, then you are worshipping the image. That is why we must accept Christ by faith, for we will never fully understand all matters in the flesh body, and it requires trust on our part.

Do you walk by Faith, which is to say "to believe on His name"? The earth and universe are full of truths that we can use to support our faith in Jesus Christ and His Word. The common lie that is spreading through the world in these final days is called evolution. Even the creator of this lie, Darwin, stole the theory from his friend, Lyle. Evolution is based on certain things that the evolutionist says are scientific, yet the earth itself proves that it simply cannot be true. Those who accept evolution, accept it because by doing so, they have created a tool under their control, to help them eliminate God from the education system. Evolution is the start of the forming of Satan's one world religious rule, which God has warned us would come to pass, through His Word.

The image is now being fitted together and created, whereby all but those sealed with the seal [truths] of God's Word, will come to worship the image of God [Satan, the false-christ]. Even most, so called Christians, will come to worship Satan in his role as the spurious messiah, because they do not honestly believe in God's truths, His Word. They will take the image that God created [Satan] because they have been taught to do so in their churches by their man made traditions.

Friend, evolution, the rapture theory or any man made tradition that steers you from the truths of God's holy Word, will cause you to worship the image, the icon ["eikon" in the Greek]. Paul tells us in II Thessalonians 2:7, 8; "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way." [7] "And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:" [8]

If you desire to listen to these traditions, and believe in that lie given by Satan's people, then you have accepted the image that was peddled concerning the end times. God Himself will turn you over to your own strong delusion, so that you will believe in that lie, or image which is the false-christ. Why is this? If you don't love His Word, then He doesn't want you because you simply don't want Him. You then become one of those that is discussed in verse eighteen; "...against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;".

It is up to you to deside you what you believe in. These are the basics in Christianity, and what you believe does make a difference to your soul. You have the free will to chose, and God will not interfere with your choice.

Romans 1:26 "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:"

I see a two fole meaning in this verse about affections that are not natural. #1 is in reference to the daughters of man, marrying and giving themselves over to those fallen angels to have offspring, which is not natural. What is natural is for all souls to come into this earth age through the womb of woman, and not leave their first habitation to come to earth, out of turn, in their angelic form and substance. #2 Is daughters of earth man with vile affections for other daughters of man in lust one toward another.

Romans 1:27 "And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet."

God is saying that anytime you go against nature, is as much as God created everything in its natural sense, common sense will tell you that something will happen that will disturb the normal course of things.

Today there is a fear of aids, which was at first caused by Sodomites in their homosexual activities between men, and the filthy habit of playing around with the waste system of the body. These Sodomite men think that they can play around with the natural course of God's creation, and escape processes that come from that evil act. The problem today is that this filthy practice has grown to such proportions that many innocents have come down with aids. These evil people are taking the truths of the punishment for these acts, and creating theories, and lies to disguise their true nature of their sinful acts against God.

We don't have to condemn them, for God's own Word condemns them, and the results of the rebellious nature can end in death, and disease, but without their repentance for these acts, it will condemn their souls.

Romans 1:28 "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient:"

"Reprobate" in Strongs Greek dictionary, # 96, "Adokomis", which means "unapproved, rejected, and castaway." When these men [women] seek such perversion, God promises them that He will make their minds rejected and unapproved simply because they chose not to retain the knowledge of God. Remember that the knowledge spoken of here is that dealing with the natural order of the sexual nature of men and women.

As we saw in II Thessalonians 2, this even applies to the worship of the false-christ, Satan. When you so desire to follow the traditions of men, and seek after the lies that will surround the spurious messiah's religious world order, God will also give you over to that reprobate mind. Those conditions that hold Satan's religious system go against the teaching of God's Word, and men are changing God's Word to fit their own things which are convenient to them.

II Thessalonians 2:11, 12; "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:" [11] "That they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." [12]

God's wrath is against all those the hold God's Word as unrighteousness, and their evil to be as righteous. There is only one who is righteous and that is God, we should not place ourselves on that higher plain, but we are talking about the putting down God's truths in His Word and elevating a man made pleasure of unrighteousness over what the absolute truth that God's Word states.

We all sin and fall short of the glory of God, and the truth in God's Word convicts us of that sin, and through repentance in Jesus name, we can prevent the sadness and sorrow that will come from sin, either now or later. Never think for a moment that God will overlook those unnatural acts of perversion. If you are guilty you must repent, and even then in repentance, you may pay the physical price of those unnatural acts.

Romans 1:29 "Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,"

These acts of unrighteousness goes even down to the little gossipers [whisperers]. God doesn't like any of it. Wickedness in the Greek is "poneria" and it means failing to hit the mark. it deals always in a moral sense of sins of omission or commission, all in thought, word and deed.

"Maliciousness" in the Greek is "Kakia", and addresses the actual sin. It looks at the evil principle in action, preplanned and thought of while in the sinful act of deed. It deals with cheating, lying, stealing, and so forth.

"Envy" is just plain jealousy. While "murder" is the planning and forethought of taking another human life. Killing and murder are not treated the same, in the Word of God [the Levitical law], even though many people today think that the two are interchangeable. They are not. You kill a pig for pork, and a cow for beef. When a person drives down the road and his car skids off the road and takes the life of another individual, it is not murder. Murder is the planned killing of another human, with the plot to take that persons life. Accidental death, and the killing for self protection is not murder, and is not held as wickedness, as outlined in verse twenty nine.

Romans 1:30 "Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,"

"Haters of God" falls into a real special category. They are what is called a "fool" in the Greek. We are not to call any man a fool, for we cannot read his mind, or know his intent. That is for only God to be the judge.

Paul is spelling out every law and form of sin that is covered in God's Word.

Romans 1:31 "Without understanding, covenantbrakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:"

"Covenantbrakers" are those that could care less about the laws of God or the laws of the land, nor all the promises that God has made to us in His Word. They could care less not only about God's promises and covenants, but also their word simply cannot be trusted, for their intent from the start is to break their word.

"Natural affection" is the love that one gives in return when it's offered to them. "Implacable" is not given in the earlier texts, and is omitted in most, but the word means that they are never satisfied with what God has given them, they are always seeking out for something beyond their reach. This comes when there is no peace of mind. "Unmerciful" means that you do not take pity on those that deserve pity.

Romans 1:32 "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them,"

Paul is writing the words that he was instructed by God. He is stating that all those that commit those acts stated above are worthy of death, the death of the soul, as spelled out in the Levitical law. The law was given to be our school master, to show us of our wrongs, and to convict us of all sin in our lives. When we know something to be wrong and we do it, it becomes a sin to us, and we will be judged by God for that sin.

However, the Word of God shows us also that when we do fall short, and miss that mark that God has calls perfection, we come to the Lord in prayer and repent those sins to the Father in Jesus name, and all those sins are removed from us. We may falter on any given day, and that is why we must continually be on guard, for though we are saved, we will continue to fall short as long as we live in the flesh.

Paul is saying that not only will those that do the sin fall short, but also those that applaud those that are doing the sins, and find pleasures in those sins. It is easy to point fingers at one another, but I'm sure that everyone of us will find some part of those listed sins are part of our lives, and when it can be identified, that is the time to repent of them, and set things right before God.

The word of God should be taught for the purpose of knowing how to stay out of trouble, and for the governing our personal lives. Through the blood of Christ there is forgiveness of any violation, for in Jesus death and resurrection from the cross He made the Way so that you and I could come back to our Heavenly Father, and be cleansed from the stain of any sin, when we would repent and turn from those ways.