Today’s chaos and human ambition . . .

I’m noticing that one of the major causes of confusion in our world is outlined in one Old Testament story early in biblical history. The flood was over and . . .

Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” (Genesis 11:1–4)

This self-centered choice displeased God so He confused their language; they could not understand one another and Jesus scattered them over the earth.

Much later, the prophet Jeremiah speaks of judgment against Babylon, a word meaning confusion. Is this place a metaphor for what happened to those early people who wanted to reach heaven by their own efforts?

Knowing how the Bible uses history to describe the universal human condition, I wondered if this “I will make a name for myself” pride still produces confusion or the inability to understand people and a lot of other things. For instance, much of what happens these days reveals a failure of the average person (and politician) to connect the dots. Many cannot seem to see cause-effect or connect actions with consequences. They are confused. The entire world seems to be in that state.

My devotional reading takes me to the first major section of Romans that describes the sinful condition of humanity. It demonstrates the universal need for redemption. No matter what class or group is described, there is spiritual and moral degeneration. Romans 1:18 to 3:20 shows how rejecting God and His revelation of Himself leads to moral downfall. Not only that, those who say no to God seem to fall into confusion. My observations are that when I turn away even slightly, this happens to me, not just those around me.

Romans 1:21–23 describes how much of humanity turned away from God and fell into idolatry. When that happened, God gave them up. I could condemn them but do I have any right to do so?

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? (Romans 2:1–3)

This chapter also says that the Gentiles who did not have written law of the Jews, still have a conscience within that tells them what is right in God’s sight but do not follow it perfectly. Even the Jews with all their privileges have not maintained the spiritual life that God demands. The name of God is blasphemed among by others because of their failure.

The bottom line? Just as it is written . . .

“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10–12)

I can look at the world in confusion and am likely correct in connecting that chaos to the human attitude of “I will run my own life” leaving out God or any admission of needing Him — BUT I cannot point fingers without acknowledging that apart from Christ, I am no different.

Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:19–20)

^^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, Your life shows me the high standard of God. You lived in total reliance on the Holy Spirit, obeying the Father completely, never governed by pride or self-effort, sinless. This is so beyond me that ‘sinless’ is impossible to wrap my mind around. Still, because of Your great love You died for the world, for me, taking my sin to the cross. You graciously give me Yourself that God can look at me and see You, You in all Your perfection. You deal with my sin and destroy my Babylon-confusion. Sometimes I trip into its spell, but You always pull me out and plant me back into this abundant life of Yours. Sin, with its pride and resulting chaos are conquered through faith in You, a glorious gift of grace!

Today’s thankful list . . .

Clarity because of Jesus.

Often being able to see things through God’s eyes.

Warm days, cool nights.

Lemon chicken and the ability to find and read good recipes.

A long talk with my ‘little’ brother.

Bad News first, then Good News . . .

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.