…they did not like to retain God in their knowledge… Rom 1:28

God messes up things for sin! His word and His believers interfere with a sinful lifestyle.
You can say what you want about God being love – and He is – but He is also a God of wrath as written in the same chapter. (cf. Rom 1:18)

That brings me to this article.

Actor George Takei of Star Trek fame appeared on MSNBC over the weekend to discuss the recent Supreme Court decision on the Defense of Marriage Act.
Takei, who is gay, recited a critical part of the Pledge of Allegiance to support his case for gay marriage but left out two key words—under God.
Well, when I pledge allegiance to the United States, I say, “One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” One-third of the nation now has equality. Now, we have to work on the other two-thirds, so we’re keeping our sleeves rolled up.

To mention God would be to acknowledge a Supreme Being that has delivered to mankind a Law that defines right and wrong.
Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Rom 1:21
They exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator… Rom 1:25

This exchange and avoidance of God is not limited to someone like Mr. Takei, it is expanded to everyone that is living contrary to God’s word. Churches have empty seats because of those that do not want to be reminded that their lifestyle may be sinful.

Let me say that I know I can do things that are sinful and contrary to God. But the Holy Spirit convicts me of my wrongdoing and leads me to repent – to turn away from that direction.

In the book Today and Tomorrow – A Daily Devotional for the 21st Century Christian, author Tim Green writes of Aaron Burr, grandson of Christian theologian and preacher Jonathan Edwards, “It is also reported by some that during a revival while he was a student at Princeton, he made this fearful statement, ‘God if you will leave me along, I will leave you alone.’”

You may remember that Aaron Burr killed Founding Father Alexander Hamilton in a duel. He was also once accused of treason against the United States.

Without God there is no equal standard of living, despite what was said earlier. Even for those that choose not to believe or follow God there is equality in their sinfulness.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Rom 1:28-32

Romans 6:23 says “the wages of sin is death” – that is equality with God. Death for all that sin.
Romans 6:23 also says, “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – that is also equality with God, giving life to all that accept His love through His Son.