“… they exchanged the truth of God for falsehood…”
Romans 1:25 (NASB)
Have you ever watched news footage of people being led into court in leg irons and chains? Their life of terrorizing people has ended at least for the moment.
The thing that I have noticed about some of them is an empty-eyed look, almost as if they are dazed.
Some have an appearance that is chilling but not menacing anymore. They have been subdued. Their sinful hearts have cost them a price they were not expecting to pay.
Of course many are still simply captivated by their wickedness. They remain arrogantly in rebellion against God.
God is so patient. But can we push Him too far? Is there a point where He will accept your determination to walk away from Him?
Yes.
Every sin cost our Savior a price He chose to pay.
In our devotion today there is a serious need to understand the consequences of embracing a lifestyle apart from Christ.
One single, defiant choice can take you down a road that will lead to regret and repentance or stubbornness and condemnation.
Rejecting Christ may be your final opportunity to find hope.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
Romans 1:18 & 19 (NASB)
To suppress the truth in unrighteousness simply means that people reject God’s existence, standards, and authority. They will have made a conscious choice to resist what God has made plain.
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.
Romans 1:20 (NASB)
Do you see how we can recognize God. Look at verse 20.
- creation
- power (revealed in creation)
- divine nature (revealed through creation and history)
You see, people know God. He is our Creator. People simply don’t want Him, so they suppress the truth.
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. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 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.
Romans 1:21-23 (NASB)
Click the link to see all of the ways that appeal to those who turn away from God.
Share the Gospel in your world.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 