Most people say they like others who speak their minds,
who are open about things and do not have hidden agendas or hide their opinions
either in fear or manipulation. Christians are told to be like that. We use the
words ‘transparent’ and ‘integrity’ to describe this as virtue, yet not
everyone likes it. This is a God-thing, a trait of Jesus that eventually
brought Him to the cross. The religious leaders of His day did not want to hear
what He really thought of them. They preferred the flattery of the people and were
angered by His disapproval.
I see from the first chapter of Romans that Paul was
straight-forward in this communication with the Christians at Rome. He began
with thanksgiving, moved quickly to his reason for wanting to be there, and
then contrasted those who live by faith with those who reject the revelation of
God.
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. (Romans 1:8)
So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:15–17)
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:18–20)
The first two
passages are nice on the ears. I love hearing someone thank God for me and give
an appropriate reason. I also love hearing the boldness given to those who
believe and preach the Gospel which is powerful to change lives. That power is
from God given by grace to those who trust Him.
However, the third
passage is uncomfortable. I am sure it is quite unacceptable to those who fit
its description. Those who know that God exists, see His power in creation, and
then turn their backs on what God has revealed to them are in trouble. They
know enough to turn to God in thanksgiving at the very least, yet they say NO
to what is clear and have no valid excuses for their rejection.
Not that excuses are
not made. God’s eternal power is denied with words like fate, coincidence, luck. His divine nature is pushed away as He is
blamed for all things unpleasant and not thanked for His goodness. The next few
verses say:
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. (Romans 1:21–23)
In our culture, the
exchange of God’s glory is not usually for images and idols, but instead the
worship of money, fame, famous people, success, accomplishment, and human
ability. These and other stuff become objects of trust and adoration with God
pushed to a back burner or ignored entirely. And no one wants to hear or read
what Paul has to say about the wrath of God.
Yet this book of
Romans does not stop with these lines that no one likes to hear. It goes on to
describe the Good News of salvation by grace, of redemption freely offered
through faith in Jesus Christ. The truth is that all need to hear the bad news
before we can welcome the good news. Without realizing the reality and danger
of my sin, I would not be interested in God’s solution for it and His amazing
plan of rescuing sinners from the ungodliness of my soul.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Jesus, again I am
thankful to You, rejoicing that even though I am a sinner, I have been redeemed
and given new life in You. Each day is filled with the abundant life that You
promise to those who trust in You. For that, I am so grateful. I’m looking
forward to this quick dash through Romans, knowing that You took the
condemnation I deserve and Paul describes in this letter how You did it and the
ways it changes everything.
Today’s thankful list . . .
A changed life.
No longer under the wrath of God.
Energy after a tough workout yesterday.
Soup and sandwiches.
The ability to sew.
Progress in purging my file cabinet.
Finding someone who wants our never-used juicer.
Music on Abiding Radio all day without talk.
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