The Truth

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even the external power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

--Romans 1:18-21  (NKJV)

From the daily Bible reading on March 31, 2013, Easter Sunday, of Psalm 67; Romans 1:18-32; Deuteronomy 3:21-4.

Paul penned his letter to the church in Rome while he was in Corinth shortly following his third missionary journey and well before he ever visited the church.  Most of Paul's epistles were written to and for churches he had started and then left in other hands, such as Timothy's, given to encourage them or to try to correct some bad habits that cropped up, like false teachings.  But not in this case.  Paul did not found the church in Rome and we're not really sure who did.  In fact, when Paul wrote to them, this church was already widely known in the region.  Paul was anxious to minister to that church and had every intention of traveling there and preaching to them the Gospel of Jesus.  Unfortunately, his plans changed somewhat when he was arrested in Jerusalem and taken to Caesarea, where he appealed to Caesar.  He did finally make it to Rome - in chains.  But he knew none of these events would unfold when he wrote his letter, which he likely intended as a means of introducing himself and his beliefs to that congregation.

In this passage, Paul points out that ungodly and unrighteous people actively suppress the truth of Jesus and of God because they are unrighteous.  In their ungodliness they don't want the truth to be known, they don't want other people to come to know Jesus as the Christ.  They do this not because they themselves don't know the truth.  No, God made the truth evident to them, even brought it to life within them.  In effect, Paul says that everything that is known about God, He Himself has made evident, within us and all around us.  Since the very beginning of creation, even though God is invisible to our human senses, His great power and supernatural nature can be clearly seen in all that He has crafted.  He brought the entire universe into being by simply uttering the words, "Let there me light."  We can definitely see the cosmos, and in that we see God.  All we have to do is look around us to see God's handiwork and know He exists.  Just look in a mirror to see His most beloved creation.  (You don't think yourself beloved of God?  Think of what He gave up just for you.  Think of what His Son suffered just for you.  You are His most beloved.)  God's word guides us, warns us, encourages and uplifts us.  Hundreds of eye-witnesses saw the risen Jesus and none stood to deny or contradict the accounts of His resurrection, so we know the words in our Bible regarding this historic event are true.  God's truth is given to us, made evident to us, in so many ways.  We need only believe, then act on that belief, share that belief so that others may come to believe and know the truth.

Even though they know God, the unrighteous do not honor Him, do not glorify Him, nor do they give thanks for all His many blessings.  They hide the truth, hoping none may know.  We know the truth, too.  But rather than suppress it, let's share it instead.  Amen.

Holy God, we know Your truth and believe in it.  We put our hope and faith in You.  Help us, please Father, to not be like the ungodly who hide the truth, but instead be among the faithful who gladly share it.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.