“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 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. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” Romans 1:18-32 

On October 18, 1967, the animated movie “The Jungle Book” was released. In very Disney fashion, this fictional movie is about a young baby named Mowgli who is found and raised by a pack of wolves. Taking place in the jungles of India, the film is filled with animals who talk, and Mowgli finds himself a bear friend named Baloo. While on their travels to get the now 10-year-old Mowgli to safety, they sing songs to pass the time. One of those songs is the classic “The Bare Necessities.” Within this fun song and dance, Baloo explains to Mowgli what it means to just have the necessities of life, nothing more and nothing less. One of the final verses of the song reads: 

1. When you think about some necessities of life, what comes to mind? 

2. What is the difference between a need and a want?  

In order for something to be needed, it must be essential or required for something or someone to function or exist. As Paul begins his letter to the church in Rome and to us, he begins with the greatest problem in the world - sin. Through this problem, he conveys the people’s need for a solution, their need for redemption, and the need to be saved through Jesus Christ. Beginning in Romans 1:18, Paul writes, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” Paul puts it all on the table: the wrath of God is real, and it stands toward all of the ungodliness and unrighteousness of the world. This means that all those who continue to live in an ungodly, unrighteous, and sinful nature will experience the wrath of God.  

3. When you hear the phrase “sin of the world,” what comes to mind? 

4. What is the wrath of God? 

Continuing in Romans chapter 1, Paul expounds on the depth of the depravity of this world. In Romans 1:19-23, he writes, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 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. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.” Here, Paul shares how the Lord does not hide Himself or His righteousness from the world. The Lord is not trying to play “hide-and-seek” or have some gold hidden only to be found by treasure hunters. On the contrary, Paul teaches how the Lord has revealed Himself to the world and is continually doing so through creation.

The world’s response to God’s revelation of His power and deity is laid out here in verses 21-23. We have not honored or given thanks to Him for all He does and provides. This happens when we choose to worship self and creation over the true living God. Finally, mankind ignored seeking His wisdom and leading for pride and selfish desire. So, what is the Lord’s righteous response to the world’s ignorance and continued disobedience? We find this in Romans 1:24-25, “Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.” 

5. When you are disobedient at work, at home, in your marriage, or maybe your kids are disobedient, what are some of the consequences? 

6. Do you feel that the Lord’s response to the world’s disobedience is unfair, or is it just? 

Reading about and discussing the depth of the depravity of our world is never easy. In fact, as followers of Christ, we should bring an emotion of empathy, remorse, repentance, and ultimately, a desire to share the truth of the Gospel! However, it is also essential for us to fully understand the depravity of our world and why our world needs to be saved. Paul finishes this section in Romans 1:26-32, writing, “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” As Paul ends, it feels hopeless. Yet, Paul intentionally begins his letter this way. He knows that in order to share the truth of the Gospel and the need for redemption, reconciliation, and ultimately, salvation, he must lay the foundation of the true nature and depravity of our world. 

7. Do you remember the time when you were lost, living for yourself, living disobedient to the Lord and ignorant of His teachings and power? What was that like? 

8. When was it that you understood the depth of your own depravity and the need for salvation through Jesus Christ? 

Now that we have read through and understand the need for salvation and the need for Jesus Christ in our lives, what is our call? Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:14-21, “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” We have been called to be ambassadors of Christ. Our world is filled with the constant desire of “want” and “more.” Yet, we as followers of Jesus Christ, we know what the one true “bare necessity” of life is, and that is Jesus Christ. That is what our world needs, and we have the incredible calling and privilege to take that necessity to a totally depraved world in need of Him! 

9. Who can you share with and pray for this week, the Gospel of Jesus?