“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” -Romans 1:18
Having introduced himself and his purpose for writing—the gospel of Jesus—Paul immediately turns to show man’s need of God’s righteousness before showing what it is and how it works in the human experience.
Why does mankind need the righteousness of God? Because every last one is under the “wrath of God,” who is “implacably and vigorously opposed to every evil.” God does not overlook one single sin. He is not passive concerning the transgression of his law; and therefore every single one of us must give an account of himself to God one day (Cf. Romans 14:12 and Hebrews 4:13).
And how is the wrath of God revealed? In some ways, we can see it in the suffering and pain that are the consequence of sin. But, it is more likely that Paul means here, the cross of Christ. Calvary is the revelation of the wrath of God, the just dying for the unjust because the wages of sin is death in a moral universe.
And this wrath is not the arbitrary and capricious feelings of God. Rather, is the objective outpouring of justice on the ungodliness and uprightness of men, men who in and by their unrighteousness, suppress the truth. Man is not ignorant of his responsibilities to God which is why atheists tend to be angry at someone they claim not to believe exists.
Atheists, agnostics, and idolaters are all unrighteous men who know the truth but choose to suppress it by embracing and promoting their unrighteousness to the bitter end.
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You are right. God does not overlook one single sin. Also I like what you said about atheists being angry with someone they don’t believe exists. I’m sure it makes them mad when this fact is pointed out to them.
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