November 30, 2017 WITHOUT EXCUSE
Romans 1:18-20 “For the wrath of God is reveled from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them, for God made it evident to them. 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. 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 heart was darkened.”
The evil and discord that is rampant in the world is a result of man suppressing the truth of what they know about God. The problem is not that man does not know that there is a God, the problem is that man chooses to reject what he knows of God and chooses to live according to his own desires. There are many places in scripture that speak of how God has revealed Himself, even in creation, such as in the verses above, and in Psalm 19:1 which reads: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work if His hands.” The one who lives in the most remote village in the world can observe the creation that surrounds him and as he ponders what is seen, he can acknowledge the handiwork of God, and if it is his heart to know this God of creation, God will reveal Himself to him even in greater ways. We know from scripture that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God is not elusive and He is not hiding; God desires to be known. The real issue is that if one acknowledges God, then he is accountable to God; if one denies or does not recognize God, then he us free to live as he pleases-but still, deep within, he cannot escape the reality of God. As believers, we have been set free by the truth-that God is God, that He is our creator, that our sins are forgiven, that we have been made new, and that the Holy Spirit of God abides in us. No longer are we limited to a life living as mere humans where selfish desires and ambitions rule, void of a relationship with God. The life that Jesus lived while here on earth is an example, or pattern of the life that is available to us as the sons and daughters of God. The truth of God in us, enables us to live totally different from those who do not know God. For examples; we can love the unlovely; we can extend forgiveness to others; we can bless those who persecute us; we can consider others more important than our selves; we can find that to give is better than to receive; and rather than criticizing others, we can speak words of encouragement. The scriptures reveal and describe our new nature, and as we read the scriptures, we discover who we really are-that we are indeed new creations with a new nature that resembles the very nature of God! Understanding the purpose of the scriptures should cause us to be diligent, to be thirsty for the truth we find in God’s word. If we do not seek out the truth of the scriptures, then we, even as believers are guilty of suppressing the truth, or neglecting the very truth that sets us free. As a believer, there is nothing more important in life than discovering our new identity in Christ, because living out of our new identity means that the life we live reflects the life that Jesus lived, it honors God, and blesses others.
John 8:32 “and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness,”
John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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