Here we see why the glorious gospel is so needed and must be shared – because the people are facing God’s wrath (v18). People have rejected the truth about God which creation reveals (v19-21). Instead of glorifying the true God, they preferred to make up false gods of their own imagination (v22-23). This is so foolish and God in judgement has taken off the restraints to sin, allowing them to go further in their sinful behaviour (v24-32). God is basically saying to these people, ‘You want to go your own way – then go your own way – but you will suffer the consequences of it.’

In our increasingly evil society today, we can see the fruits of a nation rejecting God. All that Paul mentions is so prevalent today (v29-31). People boast about many of these things but fail to realise that they are signs of God’s wrath. But let’s not despair – Paul has already given us the answer (v16). The Gospel of Christ alone is the power of salvation from such sin in Paul’s day and in our day.