Tag: suppressing truth
Given over by God!
Scripture reading for November 18th: Romans 1-3
My wife and I have raised five children and discipline has not been easy. Children are born with a sin-nature and they want what they want, when they want it! Part of the job of parenting is to set boundaries and discipline. Sometimes, having their own way could lead to injury or possibly death. As parents we instruct our children to make wise choices that bring God’s blessing and favor.
God makes Himself known to all men through nature. (Romans 1:20) When men refuse to acknowledge the truth about God as creator of all life they come under God’s wrath. God’s wrath is His holy anger against sin and rebellion. God’s wrath is happening on a continual basis and experienced eternally by those who die in a lost state.
As a result of suppressing the truth that was made clear to them by God through nature, men become darkened in their hearts and their thinking becomes futile and empty. They imagine themselves as the center of all things and think they are wise and intelligent. When man chooses this route, against all evidence to the contrary, God’s response is to give them over to what they desire in their darkened hearts. “Have it your way!” might be another way to say it!
As a result of being given over, men exchange the truth of God for a lie and begin to worship created things rather than the creator. (Romans 1:25) They give themselves to sexual immorality. The sexual immorality sometimes takes the form of homosexuality and lesbian activity. When God withdraws His light from their minds because they ignore His truth, every kind of sin and wickedness comes from their darkened minds! Those under God’s wrath are ‘given over’ not only participate in this wickedness but they encourage others who also practice this same evil! (Romans 1:32)
In our nation God has given many people over to their own lusts and darkness. Much light is available, but God forces no one to follow truth. He wants none to perish and has made provision for all who will choose salvation. The power of the Gospel message offers righteousness by faith to all who will believe! (Romans 1:16-17) Lord, have mercy on our nation!
Fools fail to connect with God!
Scripture reading for June 6th: Psalms 13-18
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.” Psalm 14:1
The fool in Scripture is the one who denies the existence of God. But hasn’t God placed eternity in the hearts of all men? (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Isn’t God evident to all through creation, who’s voice has gone out to all mankind? (Psalm 19:2-4) The reason this kind of fool exists isn’t because of an intellectual problem. It isn’t because there is a lack of proof that God is really real.
According to Psalm 14, the reason the fool said there was no God was because of corruption of character. These people were vile and didn’t do what would be considered ‘good’ in God’s sight. These people avoiding God so they would not have to answer for their wicked deeds. They preferred their corruption and did not want God interrupting their evil ways of living. This liberated them in their thinking from responsibility and possible judgment.
The Apostle Paul described the fool’s way of thinking in Romans 1:18-23. These people knew about God and His ways but have suppressed this truth in unrighteousness. Their own futile thinking darkens their hearts and souls, claiming that there is no God! God allowed them to follow their darkened understanding and worship creatures and creation rather than the creator. (Romans 1:21-23) This takes them into idolatry.
The next step is sexual perversion. (Romans 1:24-27) When a person rejects God because of their wickedness, God allows that person to be deluded and go deeply into perversion and further depravity in the breaking of God’s laws. This results in all kinds of sexual sin, lying, greed, envy, malice, strife, and idolatry. It is where every ‘fool’ in Scripture ends up without the grace of God.
No one has an excuse for staying a fool because God is always ready to save and forgive. We must humble ourselves and admit that He exists and ask for His forgiveness. (Hebrews 11:6) God would rather forgive and show mercy than to judge. If you have been foolish in your words or attitudes about God, take time today and repent. God is faithful and just and will forgive you! (1st John 1:7-9)