Reflections on Romans 1:20-21

²⁰For 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. ²¹For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.                                                            Romans 1:20-21

I’ve been spending a lot of time in Romans 1 lately. In these particular verses, Paul is answering the objection, “But what about people who don’t know about God?” Paul’s answer? They do! He says that God makes Himself known, to a certain extent, through His creation. The phrase “what has been made” is a special one. It is the Greek word “poema,” from which we get the word “poem.” It is God’s creation, His workmanship, that tells the story of who He is. People can see from His creation that God is eternally powerful (how He relates to the world) and is divine in nature (how He is in Himself). Because they can see this from creation, and they do not honor or thank Him, people have no objection.

So what went wrong? Verse 21 says that even though they knew God, they chose not to honor Him, and their foolish heart was darkened. This is huge! Knowledge of God is more than a head issue; it is a heart issue. People do not know God because they have darkened hearts. They have darkened hearts because they rejected God. Therefore, they will not know God until their hearts are enlightened.

So what do we do? First, we thank God that He enlightened our hearts. We could not have done this on our own. Second, we constantly ask God to enlighten our hearts and our minds as we study His Word. We need the Spirit’s help to know God. Finally, if we desire for people to know Jesus, we acknowledge that they have a heart problem. We pray for God to enlighten their hearts as we preach the gospel.

For His glory and our joy,

NR

Reflections on Romans 8:28

I haven’t been able to get this verse out of my mind for the last 2 weeks.  It is sandwiched between the two theological towers of suffering and sovereignty, and acts as an emotional connecting bridge of sorts.  It’s a verse that peels back three layers of an authentic Christ follower.

Layer 1: those who love God

Oh that this not be assumed. Far too many use God like they buy an updated Mercedes. It is far more about other’s impression of them than any form of intimate submission to a HOLY, and TERRIFYING God.  Love of God that mirrors His love of us while impossible, is commanded and expected.  Only to be summed up with a “what is impossible with man is possible with God” (Mark 10).

Layer 2:  being that person that knows all things are working together for good

One glance around makes us question that we can be included as “one of these people”.  The world is crumbling around us.  It is hope inducing seeing Paul’s affirmation of this in the rest of chapter 8.  In three different places he talks about the groaning going on in anticipation of what’s to come rather than what is.  He acknowledges life stinks.  So how do we see good in any of this?  (echo…anyone have an answer?) . The only answer I can muster is because of the grand extent that we trust him, we have hope.  Hope that comes as the last stanza of suffering, endurance, and character (Romans 5:3-4). And this Hope brings the fruit of life: goodness.

Layer 3: those called according to His purposes

Here is where the scary questions come into play.  If there is a makeshift, “casual” believer who does not deeply love, and can find no hope in goodness, are they included in the purposes?  Are they really called?  The scariest thing I can imagine in light of an omniscient (all knowing) God is simply existing.  Think of it…that we would be so sin calloused that God would all but disclude us from what he is doing.  Not only would we not be experiencing him, savoring him, worshiping him…we would barely be apart of acknowledging him. 

Let us be men and woman that live with a Holy dread over our being “called according to His purpose.”  And not just be dreaders, but joiners of the kingdom movement that is already at play.                                               

                                                                                                            ~amen?

~Deep thoughts by a shallow guy~

mn