Suppressing the Truth: God’s Anger and the Power of the Gospel

Romans 1:18 NLT

¹⁸ But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.

Message

Today’s scripture speaks of God’s anger against all sinful and wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.

After God spoke the truth (Genesis 2:15), the serpent lied in opposition to it. In Genesis 3, the serpent represents the devil, who attempted to replace the truth with a lie (Genesis 3:4). Sinful and wicked people stand on the side of falsehood and act on behalf of the devil (1 John 3:8). This is what verse 18 describes as “suppressing the truth by their wickedness.”

God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). The truth sets us free from slavery to sin (John 8:32). Jesus is the truth (John 14:6), and He was born and came into the world to testify to the truth (John 18:37).

Titus 3:3 (NLT) describes how we were before salvation:

3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.

Titus 3:4–7 (NLT) explains how we were saved:

4 But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

God poured out His anger on Jesus, and our sins were paid for by Him on the cross. Those who believe in Him are forgiven and transformed.