Why is Man Responsible?

“...because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.”
Romans 1:19-23

But as we looked last week, Paul says to us “That the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteous of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”

“Wrath” is “Orge” (Greek). The word is used of God’s wrath in Matt. 3:7; Rom 1:17; 12:19 and is defined by Trench as “A wrath of God Who would not love good unless He hated evil, the two being inseparable, that He must do both or neither.” It is used of our Lord when, after healing the man with the withered hand, He observed the hardness of the heart of the Pharisees, and looked upon them with anger. Mark 3:5

Vincent describes orge as God’s personal emotion with regard to sin. It represents God’s abhorrence and hatred of sin. The same authority notes that orge is not punishment of sin but God’s attitude toward it.

God’s wrath is His settled indignation. It differs from fury, which generally points in the direction of rage, sudden outbursts of anger.

God’s wrath is being poured out of the sinfulness of man. Questions are often asked - How can man be held responsible for his sin? How can God’s wrath be deserved, especially when its recipients have never been told the truth concerning God?

God never judges unless judgment is deserved. He’s a God of absolute justice, and if He judges and pours out wrath, then there is every confidence in my heart that such divine action is exactly what is right and proper in that situation.

Paul says to us here, that the wrath of God is deserved in Rom. 19-23.
Paul gives us three reasons -
1. Revelation - Rom. 19-20
2. Rebellion - Rom. 21-22
3. Religion - Rom. 23