Reading Romans 1, and it seems these verses refer to alll men. It seems that being turned over to our own deceitful heart only occurs after we have heard the truth and rejected it.
Rom 1:18 for revealed is the wrath of God from heaven upon all impiety and unrighteousness of men,
holding down the truth in unrighteousness.
Rom 1:19 Because that which is
known of God is manifest among them, for
God did manifest it to them, Rom 1:20 for the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world, by the things made being understood, are
plainly seen, both His eternal power and Godhead--to their being
inexcusable;
Rom 1:21 because,
having known God they did not glorify Him as God, nor gave thanks, but were made vain in their reasonings, and
their unintelligent heart was darkened, Rom 1:24
Wherefore also God did give them up, in the desires of their hearts, to uncleanness, to dishonour their bodies among themselves;
Rom 1:25 who did
change the truth of God into a falsehood, and did honour and serve the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed to the ages. Amen.
Rom 1:26
Because of this did God give them up to dishonourable affections, for even their females did change the natural use into that against nature;
Rom 1:28 And, according as
they did not approve of having God in knowledge,
God gave them up to a disapproved mind, to do the things not seemly;
Rom 2:1 Therefore, thou art inexcusable,
O man--every one who is judging--for in that in which thou dost judge the other, thyself thou dost condemn, for the same things thou dost practise who art judging,
Seems God didn't harden our hearts till after we rejected the truth.
The result of this is:
Rom 3:10 according as it hath been written--`There is
none righteous, not even one;
Rom 3:11 There is
none who is understanding, there is
none who is seeking after God. Rom 3:12 All did go out of the way, together they became unprofitable,
there is none doing good, there is not even one.
So it seems to me, that all of us at one time (before being regenerated) had an opportunity to accept the truth, we all turned away from it, therefore God hardened our hearts, and therefore none who understand, noe seeking God.
Now if my understanding of this is true, when was this time we had the truth, but yet rejected it?
I've heard some say this isn't talking to us, that Paul was talking to the Jews who had accepted the gospel, then were going back under law, as in Galatians also. I don't know if i buy this, because the verses in Romans 3 sure seem to support all men. any thots on this??
Seems also to relate to this:
2Th 2:10 and in all deceitfulness of the unrighteousness in those perishing,
because the love of the truth they did not receive for their being saved,
2Th 2:11
and because of this shall God send to them a working of delusion, for their believing the lie,
And also here:
Heb 6:4 for it is i
mpossible for those
once enlightened, having tasted also of the heavenly gift, and partakers having became of the Holy Spirit,
Heb 6:5 and
did taste the good saying of God, the powers also of the coming age,
Heb 6:6 and
having fallen away, again to renew them to reformation, having crucified again to themselves the Son of God, and exposed to public shame.
Now, is there any scripture that states God has given man delusion, or turned man over to a deceitful heart without having knowledge first, and rejecting it?
Just find these scriptures interesting, that God has given us all the truth at one time, yet we rejected it, so therefore he hardened our hearts.
Am i looking at these wrong??? or not???
thanks. Laren