What incredible truths in order to gain a proper perspective of God’s righteousness in his judgment of sinners? In Acts 14:17, Paul declares that God treats rebellious sinners with goodness! Think about this city of Zeus worshippers in Acts 14 and keep in mind that they credited Zeus with being the sovereign one in control over all things. However, God gave them rain for their crops so that they would have fruitfulness and satisfaction in their hearts with the produce of their labors. This means every bite of food is designed to give God glory; every time we enjoy a meal and our stomachs are satisfied, that is a witness of God’s goodness.
But instead of giving God what he is due, Paul teaches this in Rom. 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
So you have virtually entire nations walking in their own ways as described in that Rom. 1 text, and yet God continues to pour out goodness. He obviously does not do this so that fake gods would get credit for what he does, but does this so that all people are without excuse on Judgment Day, which he has determined to accomplish through Jesus Christ according to Acts 17:31.
We must view our own lives and the lives of others through this lens. This means that any time we enjoy the comfort of our homes or the satisfaction of food and drink, God deserves to receive praise. Now just think about how often that is NOT happening; whether the credit is going to same fake god, like Zeus, or our own abilities or achievements. Needless to say, mankind is not bearing witness to God’s witness. This is robbing God of his glory and demonstrates the utmost wickedness. Therefore, there are no good people in this world unless they are giving the one, true, living God glory for every single thing in their life. Obviously then, not one, single person is good, rather there is only one who is good—God alone. And this God has sent his unique, one of a kind Son to save sinners in such a way that all who entrust themselves to him are justified before him and delivered from his wrath. Moreover, God gave absolute certainly of these truths by raising Christ from the dead.
The Risen Christ will come back again, but that will be a visitation largely involving judgment.