Romans 1:28 "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"
Our minds are never stagnant. They are dynamic, always thinking of something. Paul uses the word "retain" here, which implies an active purpose. In other words, we cannot just expect God to be retained in our minds. We must actively retain God in our knowledge.
How do we do this? Psalm 1:2 "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." The people Paul was speaking of "didn't like" to think about God, or keep knowledge of Him. But the person in Psalm 1 find delight in God and His law.
It is only a renewed, sanctified mind that can find delight in the things of God. When I think back over the thoughts I've had today, where do I find the most delight?
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Monday, September 18, 2017
When They Knew God
Romans 1:21 "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."
There are four things to notice here. Four places where these people failed. First, they did not glorify God for Who He is. He alone is worthy of glory. When we know Him and yet do not respond as we should, we are denying the truth and following a lie.
Second, they were not thankful. I find this particularly interesting. Of all the virtues, thankfulness was the one that is pointed out here. Not "neither were obedient" or something like that. They weren't thankful. This demonstrates the value God places on a grateful heart. With all the blessing He pours on us everyday, it truly is the least we can do.
Third, vanity. What really matters? What is truly worthwhile? Do I follow after (using my time, effort, and energy) things that won't matter in the end?
And fourth, the allowed darkness into their hearts. Darkness is merely an absence of the Light. Replacing Christ with things of the world in our hearts results in darkness.
If I were to honestly examine my own heart, would I find seeds of any of these four failings in my own life?
There are four things to notice here. Four places where these people failed. First, they did not glorify God for Who He is. He alone is worthy of glory. When we know Him and yet do not respond as we should, we are denying the truth and following a lie.
Second, they were not thankful. I find this particularly interesting. Of all the virtues, thankfulness was the one that is pointed out here. Not "neither were obedient" or something like that. They weren't thankful. This demonstrates the value God places on a grateful heart. With all the blessing He pours on us everyday, it truly is the least we can do.
Third, vanity. What really matters? What is truly worthwhile? Do I follow after (using my time, effort, and energy) things that won't matter in the end?
And fourth, the allowed darkness into their hearts. Darkness is merely an absence of the Light. Replacing Christ with things of the world in our hearts results in darkness.
If I were to honestly examine my own heart, would I find seeds of any of these four failings in my own life?
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Manifest in Them
Romans 1:19 "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them."
God is not an amorphous concept. He is not a vague idea. Man was made "in His image". When we see our fellow man, we see a reflection of God's likeness. This reflection has been marred by man's fallen state, it is a dim, pale reflection, however the fact remains.
That spark of celestial fire called conscience is a remnant of God's image. The ability to love, to be courageous, to sorrow over evil, all of these are imperfect remnants of God's image. Paul tells us what can be known about God is manifest (apparent, evident, known, i.e to be plainly recognized or known) in mankind. What an incredible thought.
And if that wasn't enough, He gave us His Word. And if that wasn't enough, He gave us the rest of creation. All of it proclaims Who God is. Take some time to meditate on these thoughts today.
God is not an amorphous concept. He is not a vague idea. Man was made "in His image". When we see our fellow man, we see a reflection of God's likeness. This reflection has been marred by man's fallen state, it is a dim, pale reflection, however the fact remains.
That spark of celestial fire called conscience is a remnant of God's image. The ability to love, to be courageous, to sorrow over evil, all of these are imperfect remnants of God's image. Paul tells us what can be known about God is manifest (apparent, evident, known, i.e to be plainly recognized or known) in mankind. What an incredible thought.
And if that wasn't enough, He gave us His Word. And if that wasn't enough, He gave us the rest of creation. All of it proclaims Who God is. Take some time to meditate on these thoughts today.
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Ashamed
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
In a time of persecution, the temptation to be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ is real. It is when there is a cost associated with our belief, that we are confronted with our true attitude about that belief. When we have no persecution to fear, it is easy to believe in the Gospel.
But something with such power will not go unnoticed by our enemy. Shame about the Gospel of Christ does not come from God. Shame is timidness, fear. We have the spirit of love, power, and a sound mind.
If someone asked, I may say I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. However, God looks at our hearts, and our hearts show themselves through our actions. Do my actions demonstrate that I am ashamed of the Gospel? Or do my actions demonstrate that I understand the infinite power of God that is available to me?
In a time of persecution, the temptation to be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ is real. It is when there is a cost associated with our belief, that we are confronted with our true attitude about that belief. When we have no persecution to fear, it is easy to believe in the Gospel.
But something with such power will not go unnoticed by our enemy. Shame about the Gospel of Christ does not come from God. Shame is timidness, fear. We have the spirit of love, power, and a sound mind.
If someone asked, I may say I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. However, God looks at our hearts, and our hearts show themselves through our actions. Do my actions demonstrate that I am ashamed of the Gospel? Or do my actions demonstrate that I understand the infinite power of God that is available to me?
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
The Christian's Need for The Gospel
Romans 1:15 "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also."
This letter is addressed to "...all that be in Rome, called to be saints..." All could include the unsaved people in Rome and the Christian church, or it could mean all those in the church. Either way, it is clear from verse 15 that we do not cease needing to hear the Gospel after salvation.
It is the Good News of salvation that confronts us of our need for Christ in the first place. However, that is not the end of our need to hear the Gospel. Paul had a deep abiding desire to preach the Gospel even to those who were already saved. This Good News of salvation remains pertinent to our Christian walk throughout our life.
The Church at Ephesus in Revelations 2 was condemned for leaving its first love. What is our first love but the love for Christ that comes from an original hearing of the Gospel?
What is my attitude toward the Gospel? Do I see it as something for the unsaved? Or do I realize my daily need for its beauty?
This letter is addressed to "...all that be in Rome, called to be saints..." All could include the unsaved people in Rome and the Christian church, or it could mean all those in the church. Either way, it is clear from verse 15 that we do not cease needing to hear the Gospel after salvation.
It is the Good News of salvation that confronts us of our need for Christ in the first place. However, that is not the end of our need to hear the Gospel. Paul had a deep abiding desire to preach the Gospel even to those who were already saved. This Good News of salvation remains pertinent to our Christian walk throughout our life.
The Church at Ephesus in Revelations 2 was condemned for leaving its first love. What is our first love but the love for Christ that comes from an original hearing of the Gospel?
What is my attitude toward the Gospel? Do I see it as something for the unsaved? Or do I realize my daily need for its beauty?
Monday, September 11, 2017
Good Works
1 Timothy 5:10 "Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work."
The Bible makes it very clear that good works are to be an integral part of a Christian's life. We are called unto good works, we were created in Christ Jesus unto good works, doing good works is part of our maturity and fullness in Christ.
Obviously, these works are not necessary for salvation. However, they are a natural result of true salvation. As James says, faith without works is dead. It's just like when you're in a relationship with someone you love, serving them comes naturally. The ability to help them in some way is a joy and a privilege. You're always on the lookout for a need that you could meet. This is how it should be in our relationship with God.
This verse provides a small sample list of good works. But Paul really sums up good works in 1 Timothy 6:18 "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;" It's about helping those in need and telling the truth.
Do I view all my goods as belonging to God? Am I willing to give them freely to help those in need? Is my mouth ready with the truth, to share the Living Word with those in spiritual need?
The Bible makes it very clear that good works are to be an integral part of a Christian's life. We are called unto good works, we were created in Christ Jesus unto good works, doing good works is part of our maturity and fullness in Christ.
Obviously, these works are not necessary for salvation. However, they are a natural result of true salvation. As James says, faith without works is dead. It's just like when you're in a relationship with someone you love, serving them comes naturally. The ability to help them in some way is a joy and a privilege. You're always on the lookout for a need that you could meet. This is how it should be in our relationship with God.
This verse provides a small sample list of good works. But Paul really sums up good works in 1 Timothy 6:18 "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;" It's about helping those in need and telling the truth.
Do I view all my goods as belonging to God? Am I willing to give them freely to help those in need? Is my mouth ready with the truth, to share the Living Word with those in spiritual need?
Friday, September 8, 2017
Noteworthy Faith
Romans 1:8 "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world."
Faith is a word that gets thrown around a lot. The definition of the word is: "conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it."
A conviction of the truth that the whole world was talking about. That is incredible. When you think about it, people all over the world are convicted of certain "truths". Ask pretty much anyone, and you will find they are convicted of the truth of, say, gravity, or the roundness of the earth. However, no one is talking about that conviction, that faith. There was something about the Roman church's faith that made it noteworthy for the whole world.
I believe the noteworthiness is found in the last part of the definition: "holy fervour born of faith and joined with it." This faith in God and Christ is living, powerful. It exists, but it also builds. This holy fervour is what causes us to put our faith into action. This holy fervour is the drive behind our good works. And it is these good works that cause others to see our faith, and praise God.
Does my faith have a holy fervour behind it? Is my faith something people are talking about? In order to talk about it, they first have to see it. Is my faith even visible?
Faith is a word that gets thrown around a lot. The definition of the word is: "conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it."
A conviction of the truth that the whole world was talking about. That is incredible. When you think about it, people all over the world are convicted of certain "truths". Ask pretty much anyone, and you will find they are convicted of the truth of, say, gravity, or the roundness of the earth. However, no one is talking about that conviction, that faith. There was something about the Roman church's faith that made it noteworthy for the whole world.
I believe the noteworthiness is found in the last part of the definition: "holy fervour born of faith and joined with it." This faith in God and Christ is living, powerful. It exists, but it also builds. This holy fervour is what causes us to put our faith into action. This holy fervour is the drive behind our good works. And it is these good works that cause others to see our faith, and praise God.
Does my faith have a holy fervour behind it? Is my faith something people are talking about? In order to talk about it, they first have to see it. Is my faith even visible?
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