In The Word
Read: Romans 1:18-32
Unbelief and Its Consequences
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people 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, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by 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 reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures.
24 Therefore God gave them up to vile impurity in the lusts of their hearts, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged natural relations for that which is contrary to nature, 27 and likewise the men, too, abandoned natural relations with women and burned in their desire toward one another, males with males committing shameful acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a depraved mind, to do those things that are not proper, 29 people having been filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, and evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unfeeling, and unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Paul summarized mankind’s history with sin: beginning with man knowing God, who clearly revealed Himself through creation, then man turned from the truth and rejected God. That rejection opened man to all kinds of depravity and wickedness, which Paul detailed in Romans 1:26-31. Because of their sin, people reaped dire consequences and “received in their own persons the due penalty of their error” (Romans 1:27). Even more, they encouraged others to sin and applauded them when they did.
In our day, many people would say that mankind is much more advanced in its thinking; but, in reality, nothing has changed. Though higher learning and advanced science has revealed God’s creation to be even more magnificent and complex than thought of in earlier times, many “intelligent” people still refuse to acknowledge God as the Creator. Furthermore, people still reject God’s principles and indulge in gross sin. This is why it is important that we share God’s gospel truth to everyone that will listen.
Let’s now turn from mankind to you. You may know God and have committed your life to Him, to obey His commands and follow His teachings. Do all of your thoughts, words, and actions line up with God’s biblical truth? God expects you to be conformed to Yeshua’s image: His life, mind, mission, and promises. This supreme calling requires the daily effort of spending time with God, trusting God through prayer, being strengthened with the Holy Spirit’s power through studying God’s Word, and rejecting all sin when temptation arises.