The Normal Christian Life: A Journey Through Romans
Friday, February 3, 2006
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, for many today marks the “end” of the week and opportunity to escape from the drudgery of work and move to the weekend. I pray that my attitude will be much different because of Your presence in my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit that I may affirm that every day is a blessing from You and that Your mercies are fresh every morning! As You fill me with the Holy Spirit empower me to live out the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In Your word You tell us that against such things there is no law. Let me live in such a way in the Spirit that the laws of the land are of no concern to me, because the holiness of my life makes them unnecessary. Empower to live and move and have my being in You today and always that You may be honored in my thoughts, words and actions. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today—Romans 1:18-20
Romans 1:18-20 NLT
18But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves. 19For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. 20From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.
Romans 1:18-20 NIV*
18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
*Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. The "NIV" and "New International Version" trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.
Reflecting on God’s Word
Look at Romans 1:18-20 in the NIV translation. We have been examining these three verses for six days now. What is the one truth or principle that you see in these verses that if enacted in your life, would make an immediate and easily observable difference?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
Look at Romans 1:18-20 in the NIV. What does it mean to “suppress the truth by their wickedness? Give specific examples:
How has the wrath of God been revealed from Paul’s time until now?
Understanding God’s Purpose for Us
What purpose can there be in God’s revealing His wrath from heaven?
Applying God’s Word to Our Purpose
As you look at Romans 1:18-20 in the NIV translation, what is one thing that you know that you need to do to become more confirmed to the image of Jesus? When will you do it?
What is one way that you can show that you understand God’s eternal power and divine nature as you go about this day?
Thoughts - Suppressing the Truth...
The value a person, a family or a society places on truth is directly proportional to the value placed on God by that person, family or society. Consider this: when we believe that the word of God is true, we will understand that there are certain set limits regarding all human behavior. These limits form the basis for the laws in America, since at the time of our nation’s founding, most of the leaders were followers of Jesus, or at least subscribed to the truth contained in the Bible. In the past 230 years since the Declaration of Independence was penned and the struggle to gain independence and then to continue to live independently as the United States of America has seen the place and importance erode over time, and much more rapidly over the past half century in particular. It would have been unimaginable for the founders of our nation to consider that the Ten Commandments would be unwelcome in a U.S. courthouse, for example. Similarly, it would have been hard for one of our founders to believe that a day would come when life was devalued through abortion, euthanasia and widespread killings based on “turf issues,” jealousy, greed, and “just for kicks.”
We must understand that if we hold to the truth of the gospel, we are “swimming upstream in our society,” as most have decided to suppress the truth by saying that truth is relative or that it doesn’t exist. Christians have ALWAYS been swimming upstream, since we DO value truth individually and corporately. As you go about this day, be aware of people and situations that seek to suppress the truth and as a follower of Jesus, stand up for the truth. After all, Jesus called Himself the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life, only as we stay anchored in the truth, can we represent He who is the truth with any kind of integrity. May God grant us the power of His Holy Spirit to do just that, today and always to His glory and honor—Amen!
This Week’s Memory Verse:
They know the truth about God because He has made it obvious to them. Romans 1:19