Living in a World Without God: Understanding Our Times

In recent days, we've witnessed a surge of chaos, violence, and moral confusion sweeping across our nation and the world. From school shootings to political unrest, from family breakdowns to rampant wickedness, it's natural to ask: What is happening to people today? Why do they do the things they do?

The answer, while sobering, is profoundly simple: People are choosing to live without God.

This rejection of the divine isn't a new phenomenon. Since the fall of man in Genesis, we've seen the progression of sin and evil throughout human history. What we're experiencing now is the culmination of humanity's ongoing attempt to delete God from their minds, to cancel His influence, and to silence His voice in their consciousness.

The apostle Paul, writing to the Romans nearly two millennia ago, provides a timeless explanation for what unfolds when people choose to live without God:

When individuals decide to live without God, their first instinct is to suppress the truth. They actively work to smother, cancel, and delete the reality of God's existence and His moral standards. Yet, as Paul points out, "For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse" (Romans 1:20).

The beauty of creation, from the starry skies to the intricacy of human life, all point to a divine Creator. Yet, in their determination to live autonomously, people willfully ignore this evidence.

Those who reject God not only fail to glorify Him but also show no gratitude for His blessings. Instead of recognizing the source of all good things, they exalt themselves, becoming their own gods. This attitude robs God of the glory due to Him and eliminates any sense of thankfulness for life, health, and countless other blessings.

Living without God has a profound impact on one's mind and heart. Paul writes, "Their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools" (Romans 1:21-22). Without the guiding light of divine wisdom, human reasoning becomes corrupted, leading to foolish decisions and darkened hearts incapable of discerning right from wrong.

In their rejection of God, people "exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator" (Romans 1:25). This exchange manifests in various ways in our modern world, from the worship of material possessions to the elevation of human opinion over divine truth. We must be cautious, especially in an age of rampant misinformation on social media, not to fall into this trap of exchanging God's truth for attractive lies.

Perhaps the most visible consequence of living without God is the moral decay that follows. Paul describes how God "delivered them over to disgraceful passions" (Romans 1:26), leading to a reversal of natural order and the embrace of what God never intended for human relationships and sexuality.

The final stage in this downward spiral is a complete corruption of the mind, resulting in all manner of wickedness. Paul provides a sobering list: "They are filled with all unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, senseless, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful" (Romans 1:29-31).

This description eerily mirrors the state of our world today, confirming that we are indeed living in what the Bible calls the "last days." As Jesus himself warned, "Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold" (Matthew 24:12).

Yet, amidst this grim reality, there is hope. The same God who allows people to choose their path of rebellion is also the God who offers redemption through Jesus Christ. As Paul declares, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24).

This is the beacon of hope in our dark world – the offer of salvation and transformation through faith in Jesus Christ. No matter how far someone has strayed, no matter how deeply they've embraced a life without God, the opportunity for redemption remains as long as they draw breath.

For those of us who have embraced this hope, our calling is clear. In a world that increasingly chooses to live without God, we are to be the light and salt Jesus spoke of. We are to stand firm in righteousness, to love boldly in the face of hatred, and to proclaim the life-changing message of the gospel.

As we witness the unfolding of these difficult times, let us not lose heart. Instead, let us be emboldened to share the transformative power of Christ's love. For in Him, there is forgiveness, redemption, and the promise of eternal life – a hope that far outweighs the darkness of this present age.

Remember, as the hymn beautifully puts it: "Our sins they are many, His mercy is more." No matter how great the evil we see around us, God's mercy and love are always greater. This is the message our world desperately needs to hear, and we are the ones called to share it.

In these challenging times, let us cling to this truth and live it out daily, being the change we wish to see in the world. For in doing so, we offer a glimpse of God's kingdom to a world that has forgotten Him, inviting others to experience the transformative power of a life lived with God at the center.

1. People today are choosing to live without God, which leads to chaos, evil, and moral confusion.

2. When people reject God, they suppress the truth and exchange God's glory for worldly things.

3. God's response to those who reject Him is to "deliver them over" to their sinful desires.

4. We are living in the last days, as evidenced by the increase in wickedness and love growing cold.

5. Despite the darkness, there is hope in Jesus Christ for salvation and redemption.

1. The pastor stated that "the root of the problem is that people have chosen to live without God." How do you see this playing out in our society today?

2. Romans 1:20 says that God's attributes are "clearly seen" through creation. How can we use this truth to engage with those who deny God's existence?

3. How does suppressing the truth about God lead to "worthless thinking" and "darkened hearts" (Romans 1:21)? Can you give examples from current events or personal experiences?

4. The sermon mentioned that God "delivers people over" to their sinful desires as a form of judgment. How does this challenge or affirm your understanding of God's judgment?

5. In what ways do you see evidence that we are living in the "last days" as described in 2 Timothy 3:1-5?

6. How can we maintain hope and share the gospel effectively in a world that seems to be growing increasingly dark?

1. Commit to daily prayer and Bible reading to strengthen your relationship with God and resist the pull of worldly influences.

2. Identify one area in your life where you may be suppressing God's truth, and take steps to align your beliefs and actions with Scripture.

3. Practice expressing gratitude to God daily, countering the ingratitude described in Romans 1:21.

4. Look for opportunities to be "salt and light" in your community, workplace, or school by living out your faith and sharing the hope of Christ.

5. Develop a list of Bible verses that remind you of God's sovereignty and goodness to encourage yourself and others during difficult times.

6. Commit to praying regularly for those in your life who are living without God, asking for opportunities to share the gospel with them.

Take a moment to reflect on the pastor's closing words: "Whatever's happening to people today, they have a solution. Come to Jesus Christ." How can you embody this message of hope in your daily life and interactions with others?