What a shocking thought! The uninformed might suppose that this refers to a very small class of extraordinarily vile sinners, but it goes far beyond that. They are unaware of the fact that the natural man is an enemy to God. Were that not the case there would be no need for a Redeemer and reconciliation. The fact is, “the carnal mind is enmity against God..” (Rom. 8:7). That is a terrible position to be in, but those who hate God are there by their own choice.
Although God has given such a revelation of Himself that we are “without excuse” (Rom. 1:20), the willful sinner would rather create a god in his own image rather than be controlled by the God who created him. Having the freedom to receive or to reject God, you could say, he opts to vote God out and become his own god– “worshiping the creature more than the Creator” (Rom. 1:25). In this we see the root of man’s problem, the reason for his condemnation, and the record of his folly in a nut shell.
Such sinners might love religion, but they loathe the Redeemer. They hate God who is holy and say in their heart “We will not have Him rule over us”. They would rather bow down to a blind idol made of stone than the living all-seeing God. Their carnal hearts are so corrupt that they enjoy and embrace the very things that destroy them, rather than the life-giving God who loves them. Although God “commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30), they continue on as enemies in their rebellion against Him which leads to their ruin.
Indeed, the God hater has voted God out– self sets on the throne, misery fills his days, sin marks his ways, and he lives as a slave to his own lusts. Not until the end, when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Christ is Lord, does he realize that he cast a losing vote. What about you? How will you vote? “Choose you this day whom ye will serve..“(Josh. 24:15). I’m voting for Jesus! –HDS
