I just started reading through Romans yesterday in my quite time, and the very first chapter was both refreshing and butt-kicking. Verses 18-32 speak about people who suppress the truth of God, and because it is made evident to them from the beginning of time who God is, He has given them over to the desires of their flesh.
This passage is soooo vivid, and rich when it comes to describing sin, and the degrading position which people, who know God, and yet ignore Him are in. In verse 25 it says that "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie". How powerful and extremely sad is that? Paul goes on to address a host of sins including homosexuality, gossip, disobedience, murder, strife, deceit, and envy. And why, does he say, people openly commit such sins before God and," ....give hearty approval to those who practice them"?
Verses 21-23 give us the answer, "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 foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became folls and exchanged the glory of God for an image in the form of corruptible man".
They sinned, and were ultimately given over to their sin because they did not honor God for who He is, but instead took His glory and gave it to an idol. I look at this passage now and I think "you stupid people"! And yet, everytime I sin, I am doing the same. Everytime I lie, or am lazy, or gossip, I am taking God's glory and placing it somewhere it totally doesn't belong, most of the time on me.
Thank goodness we have a completely faithful God, who will forgive, as well as instruct His people! I can't wait to forge on into Romans, and see what other valuable lessons the Lord has waiting for me!
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