Today, on Truth Time.
We're not robots.
Mankind has free will.
If God has to make us love Him, that isn't real love at all, is it?
Both Calvinists and Universalists, they take God's name in vain every time they open their mouth to misrepresent Him with this cankerous teaching of total depravity.
And make no mistake about it, okay?
Universalists have their own tulip too.
If Paul wrote Romans 1 as a breakdown of what's going on today, then we're in prophecy, not mystery.
And therefore no longer respecting the distinctions of Paul's unique apostleship.
And that's precisely what's happening.
A steady digressing is occurring right before your very eyes.
And we've been warned of this.
Those with spiritual eyes cannot help but notice it.
This is Truth Time Radio.
Okay, today begins the fifth installment of our verse-by-verse study of the book of Romans.
We made it to the end of chapter 1 last time, so today we'll enter chapter 2.
But before doing so, let's pick back up here at the end of chapter 1 and let's explain further why Paul's history lesson in Romans 1 is all about Israel.
We gotta remember how vital it is to pay more attention to context than chapter and verse numbers.
Just because one chapter ends and another begins doesn't mean that one idea ends and another begins.
More often than not, it takes multiple verses to form one complete sentence.
Those who were here for part 1 will remember how we saw that very thing with the first sentence of chapter 1, Romans 1:1.
It took seven verses to form one single sentence.
The numbering system in our King James Bible is not inspired, but its usefulness is evident, making it easier to locate passages.
Just think how long it would take for us to find Psalm 71:19 without chapter and verse numbers, making it more difficult to navigate through Scripture.
With that in mind, think about our apostle.
He didn't have chapter and verse numbers.
Chapters with individual books have only been around for about 800 years, and verse numbers came along even later.
The 1560 Geneva Bible was the first English translation to use both chapter and verse numbers.
When Paul writes to Timothy, and he says, From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures.
He's talking about Timothy knowing God's Word, since he was a child, without numbered chapters and verses.
The Hebrew text only had unnumbered sections or paragraphs.
That was it.
And when those of Berea were behaving more nobly, in that they searched the Scriptures to see if what Paul said was true, they didn't have chapters and verse numbers to refer to either.
Think of how hard that would have been to test Paul.
We've got it easy.
We say turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 5:19, and everyone is promptly on the same page, looking at the same passage, without the need of memorizing or studying anything.
So be thankful for the number system in our Bible, because it helps us to find passages quickly.
But we can't rely on it for context.
As we move from the end of Romans 1 into Romans chapter 2, you'll see why you cannot just assume context ends at the end of each chapter.
That's not what the chapter numbers are for.
And by the way, don't rely on those page headings that suggest the context either.
Watch out for the cross references also.
All of these things have been inserted and are not part of the preserved inspired text.
Last time we were with you, we ended by going over what a reprobate is and what it isn't.
It's not what most teach, and we proved it with God's Holy inspired Word that's been preserved right here in this King James Bible.
Let's tie up any loose ends on that topic before moving into chapter 2.
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.
So, God gave them over doesn't mean that He zapped them and turned them into reprobates.
The phrase, "God gave them over," simply means that God allowed them to do what they wanted to do without forcing them to love, obey, and honor Him.
It's a matter of free will, and this verse demonstrates just that.
We're not robots.
Mankind has free will.
If God has to make us love Him, that isn't real love at all, is it?
Calvinists and Universalists misuse this verse to make assumptions based on their false premise.
Both groups also use Romans chapter 1 to prove their theory of total depravity.
The T in Tulip.
They use verses 18 through 32 in an attempt to prove that mankind is so depraved that we're unable to make a free will choice to believe God.
Strangely enough, even some who claim to oppose the Calvinistic and Universalist theory use these same verses to try and promote the idea of total depravity of mankind.
They may not call it by that term, but that doesn't change what it is.
The idea of total depravity is unbiblical and heretical.
The implications of this doctrine turns God into a narcissistic puppet master with a monstrous ego.
It's a doctrine that blasphemes the name of God.
Both Calvinists and Universalists, they take God's name in vain every time they open their mouth to misrepresent him with this cankerous teaching of total depravity.
And make no mistake about it, OK?
Universalists have their own Tulip too.
Did you know that?
And the T and the I are identical doctrines for both groups.
The Calvinist T is total depravity.
The Universalist T is also total depravity.
The Calvinist U is unconditional election, which doesn't mean what it sounds like it should mean, by the way.
The Universalist U is unlimited salvation.
The Calvinist L is limited atonement.
The Universalist L is limited knowledge of unlimited salvation.
The Calvinist I is irresistible grace.
The Universalist I is also irresistible grace.
The Calvinist P is perseverance of the saints.
The Universalist P is preservation of all things.
There's not much difference between the two theologies.
Both completely remove free will, and neither has a gospel that will save anyone.
Both make false assumptions and then build straw man doctrines around those assumptions.
Not a single one of the tenets of the Tulip from either theology should be embraced by anyone.
Since each tenet relies upon each other, and each relies on a false assumption, it is incredibly easy to fall into the era of either of these heretical doctrines just by adhering to one single tenet of the Tulip.
Both false doctrines begin with total depravity, use Romans 1 to support their claims, and both see the reprobate as a person who lacks free will.
Many misconceptions have been taught about the reprobate mind.
The definition of reprobate is not unsaved, although a reprobate certainly can be unsaved.
Reprobates do not lose their free will to change their minds, and God doesn't get fed up with people, zap them, and turn them into a reprobate that is without hope.
All lies.
Anyone believing that doesn't understand grace.
Verse 28 is simply telling us that when Israel turned their back on God multiple times by not retaining Him in their knowledge, He allowed them to do so.
There were of course consequences, but He didn't stop them from doing exactly what they wanted to do.
If this is not a right-in-your-face example of God allowing mankind to exercise His free will, I don't know what is.
Notice also that the reprobate mind does those things which are not convenient.
Now this is further proof that Paul is talking about God's chosen people not behaving in a way that is fitting as children of God.
And they did so without even batting an eye, without having any second thoughts, believing they were right when they were obviously wrong, justifying their evil deeds in their own eyes, calling evil good and good evil.
The children of God behaved in a manner that is so far off the mark of representing a holy God that they caused the name of God to be blasphemed among the Gentiles, the people that they were supposed to be winning over.
Think about it.
They did not like to retain God in their knowledge.
Well, you have to first know God to be able to retain Him.
So how would Gentile nations, who did not even know God, retain Him in their knowledge?
You see, those teaching this are teaching nonsense.
Gentile nations never knew God because Israel never made it that far.
The Gentile nations were supposed to be drawn to God through Israel's rising, but instead Israel was rebellious, disobedient, unthankful, unfaithful, blasphemous, wicked, and just downright too evil to draw anyone.
God repeatedly proved Himself to the children of Israel when He led them out of Egypt.
He went out of His way.
Exodus 6:7, And I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you a God.
And ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
That's Exodus 6:7.
Look at chapter 16 and verse 12, I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, speaking to them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread, and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God.
You see folks, it was Israel who knew God, not Gentile nations.
It was Israel who was given over to a reprobate mind to do the things that were not befitting of them as representatives of their holy God, not Gentiles.
The list of transgressions and wickedness in Romans 1 are things that were not convenient, unfitting for the children of God to be doing.
However, you cannot say that about heathen Gentile nations who did not know God, were without God in the world, and had no hope.
You can't say that, because they don't fit the context here.
As a matter of fact, you'd fully expect pagan Gentile nations to behave in the ways that Paul lists here, because it is fitting for a lost heathen to behave like a lost heathen.
Unlike popular teaching, we're going to keep this thing in context.
And the context so far is telling us that Paul's history lesson is talking about Israel's rebellion against God.
He's not talking about Gentiles behaving like Gentiles.
Paul's talking about Israel behaving like Gentiles.
You need to get this.
This will help you better navigate your way through the book of Romans.
Chapter 1 is not talking about the state of the world today.
That isn't why this chapter was written.
This wasn't written to help us match up some sort of timeline to predict the rapture or the last days of grace.
We aren't supposed to use these things we see listed here to describe the world before Israel either.
Just because you see a verse that makes you think of current events or something that happened pre-Moses doesn't mean that's what it is.
Ecclesiastes plainly tells us that there's nothing new under the sun.
So if you see someone behaving in a manner that Paul describes in chapter 1 of Romans, it does not mean Paul is talking about the person you see behaving that way.
It just means that there's nothing new under the sun.
Just believe the Bible.
And if you do believe that, then you shouldn't be shocked by anyone's behavior.
It's all been done before.
Society is not experiencing anything new.
So let's stop acting like a wicked and adulterous generation by looking for signs.
Signs that were present in prophecy, but not mystery.
How quickly some forget.
Over the years, we've noticed how very few grace teachers encourage the reading of the Old Testament.
Huge mistake.
Doing so brings a greater understanding to Paul's writings.
Avoiding the Old Testament?
That's played a big part in why many have trouble understanding how forgiveness occurred at the cross.
Yeah.
As we brought out and demonstrated in our Understanding Terminology series, God laid out an order of things in the Old Testament that carried over into the New Testament.
The order never changed.
More people would understand reconciliation if they first understood God's divine order.
But you might have to do a little work on your own.
Study to show thyself approved unto God.
Knowledge is power.
And in Romans chapter 15, Paul wrote, Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Might have hope.
Let me share an example of how these aforetime writings can help us with understanding Paul.
Notice the similarities between Psalm 106 and most of everything here in Romans 1.
It's very interesting.
And Psalm 106 is also all about Israel.
Watch.
Psalm 106:6, We have sinned with our fathers. We have committed iniquity. We have done wickedly.
Compare to Romans 1:29, Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, and wickedness.
Now Psalm 106 verse 7, Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt.
The understood not here matches the quote, Without understanding, in Romans 1:31.
Psalm 106 verse 8, Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
Another match.
To quote, Make his power to be known, that's Romans 1:19.
God hath showed it unto them.
Made it known.
As we go back and forth, these similarities are obvious.
Look at Psalm 106:13, They soon forget his works and waited not for his counsel.
Here, we can take the quote, They soon forget his works, and match it with Romans 1:28.
Quote, Did not like to retain God in their knowledge.
Perfect match.
Verse 14, But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness and tempted God in the desert.
The lusted exceedingly here fits Israel's covetousness in Romans 1:29.
And their quote, God gave them up to uncleanness through the lust of their hearts, in Romans 1:24.
I hope you're seeing this.
Psalm 106 verse 15. Watch. And he gave them their request but sent leanness into their soul. They envied Moses also in the camp and Aaron the saint of the Lord.
Here we go again.
The envy spoken here matches Romans 1:29 where Paul says, Being full of envy, deceit and covetousness.
Psalm 106 verse 17, The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram and a fire was kindled in their company, the flame burned up the wicked.
This is Romans 1:18.
The wrath of God revealed from heaven.
The connection is obvious.
And it continues.
Psalm 106 verse 19, They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped the molten image.
Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.
Compare, They changed their glory, compare that with Romans 1:23, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.
Oh, matches perfectly.
Also matches Romans 1:25, Who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator.
Hey, you can't change the truth of God unless you were first given it.
The oracles of God were committed to the Jew. Romans 3:2.
It was they who held the truth. Romans 1:18.
It's common practice, it's common, folks, for teachers to wander away from context and attempt to make Romans 1 about Gentile nations.
It is not.
We clearly see here this is about Israel.
About them and their relationship with God when they Romans 1:21 knew Him.
The point is, both Psalm 106 and Paul's history lesson in Romans chapter 1 are talking about the same people.
Okay, moving on, Psalm 106 verse 21, They forget God their Savior, which had done great things in Egypt.
The, Forget God their Savior, this is Romans 1:28, Not retaining God in their knowledge.
They forget Him.
There is literally a match for just about everything, but time won't allow me to cover them all.
But I'll give you a couple more real quick.
Psalm 106 verse 25, But murmured in their tents and hearken not unto the voice of the Lord.
The, Murmured in their tents, here is a perfect match for Romans 1:29 through 31.
Read that and you'll see where it talks about whisperers and back biters.
Okay, Psalm 106 verse 37, Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters into devils, and shed innocent blood, and the land was polluted with blood.
Here we have, Murder, Romans 1:29, and Unmerciful, Romans 1:31.
Let's do one more.
Psalm 106 verse 39, Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.
This is the vile affections you'll find in Romans 1:26, the fornication of Romans 1:29, and the inventors of evil things found in Romans 1:30.
Psalm 106 directly covers everything that was said to cause God's wrath on Israel here in Romans chapter 1.
The only item, the only one that on the list here, which isn't named outright, is disobedient to parents.
But it's found in Proverbs 31, which is still talking about Israel.
It's just this simple.
You either want to follow truth, or be led on a leash by a mansplaining preacher.
The choice is yours.
Take some time and research the list of events in Psalm 106.
Read about Israel's multiple transgressions.
Everything there is documented fully, and referenced repeatedly throughout the Old Testament.
There should be no doubt in your mind that the transgressions and wrath in Romans 1 are all about time past Israel, and not time past, or present day, Gentiles.
Okay, Romans 1, let's look here at verse 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.
Now while most take this, and they twist it out of its context, because of their great love to go around and judge people, but this has nothing to do with how God is operating today under the dispensation of grace.
No one today is experiencing the judgment of God.
This doesn't apply to the current administration.
But some are allergic to context.
This is about time past Israel, who knew the judgment of God, and knew that they which commit the things listed here in Romans 1 would be worthy of death.
Israel was given the oracles of God.
No other nation was.
When the verse says, quote, Not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them, it's obviously describing a reprobate mind, one that knows the judgment of God, but could care less.
They know His judgment, but still do the things that bring about His wrath, and have pleasure in others doing the very same thing.
Reprobates are always happy about the existence of other reprobates.
The only reason that anyone who knew God's judgment would take pleasure in others doing things to bring about His wrath, is so they can try and justify their own unrighteousness.
After all, when you're judging the sins of others, you're not paying much attention to your own.
If I'm taking someone else's inventory, I don't have much time to recognize my own faults and failures.
And as long as I ignore my own faults and failures, I can feel superior to those that I judge.
That's how it works.
Notice how Paul continues this thought into chapter 2, Watch the transition, 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.
Chapter 2, verse 1, here we go, Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest.
For wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself.
For thou that judgest does the same things.
Verse 2, But we are sure that the judgment of God according to the truth against them which commit such things.
What things?
What things is Paul referring to?
All the things in chapter 1 that caused God's wrath to be revealed from heaven against all ungodliness, all unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
Paul's talking to the Jew, the Jew that judges Gentiles for doing the things that Israel is historically responsible for doing.
The Gentile nations were not without excuse in time past.
God used to wink at their ignorance, but Israel was.
They indeed were without excuse because they were given the oracles of God.
Israel was held to a higher standard than Gentile nations and were chosen to be the light to bring all the heathen nations to God.
But instead of that, instead of being that light, they glorified Him not as God.
They were unthankful and became vain in their imaginations.
As a result, their foolish hearts were darkened.
You can't be a light with a darkened heart.
Over and over again, God had mercy on them, and over and over, they betrayed Him.
For some strange reason, many teachers, they try to make the context of Romans 1 today's society.
Others, they want to go back to pre-Israel and make this chapter all about wicked Gentiles before Abraham.
Don't fall for it.
Both positions are wrong.
If you stay in context, you'll see it.
But clearly, there's an agenda to make Paul's history lesson about anyone but Israel.
I suppose it may just be too much for some to believe that God's chosen people were wicked and adulterous, even though Jesus said they were.
And for others, if they apply the context of these scriptures to Israel, then they can't use them to look down their pharacitical noses and condemn certain groups in today's society.
They're not grace teachers.
If so, they might have to actually preach the grace message as they claim to do.
If they rightly apply the context of these scriptures to Israel, they can't use them to talk about the horrendous state of the world today and how it's worse than it's ever been.
Therefore, the rapture, well, it just must be right around the corner.
It's obvious that we can find some parallels between the things that Paul described in his history lesson here.
We can find parallels with that and the things we see going on today, but the same could be said for just about every generation since the beginning of time.
If Paul wrote Romans 1 as a breakdown of what's going on today, then we're in prophecy, not mystery, and therefore no longer respecting the distinctions of Paul's unique apostleship.
And that's precisely what's happening.
A steady digressing is occurring right before your very eyes.
And we've been warning of this.
Those with spiritual eyes cannot help but notice it.
It's no marvel the angels of light have been working overtime to malign Paul's message ever since he walked the earth.
Ministers of righteousness have been proving themselves to be enemies of the cross for centuries.
So we expect no less from traditional denominations for mainstream Christianity to thwart Paul's apostleship.
But when self-proclaimed right dividers do it, that's a problem.
That's a whole 'nother issue.
If we're looking for a sign that the end of the dispensation of grace is near, and I'm not, but if I were, I'd look no further than the fact that Paul's office is slowly and subtly being minimized and chipped away by the very ones who claim him as their apostle.
Who claim to follow him exclusively.
Okay, next time we're going to pick up right here in Romans chapter 2 verse 3, and we'll take a closer look at this inexcusable man that Paul addresses.
Who is he?
Why does Paul speak to him the way he does?
We'll answer that, and we'll dive further into how the judgment of God should affect him.
And by the time we get to the end of the chapter, the end of chapter 2, it's going to become much more clear what the practical application of these two chapters are for us, even though Paul is talking to and about religious Jews and children of Israel.
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest.
Grace and peace.
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