After emphasizing his sincere desire to visit the Roman
Christians, Paul states that he is not ashamed of the message of the gospel
(the message of who Jesus Christ is and what he did on our behalf). However
people may look down on or disregard the gospel, Paul knew that it was God’s
power in action, transforming and rescuing now and forever those who trust in
Christ.
The gospel was first made available to the Jews. Not because
they are more loved by God or more valuable to him, but because they had been
the people group God chose to present his words to the world. Greek’s were the
most “anti-Jewish” culture during this time. So for Paul to say that the gospel
was for the Jew first and also for the Greek implied that it was also for every
other nation/culture in between.(v. 16)
Righteousness is the state of having a clean record before
God. The gospel reveals that the righteousness God makes available starts and
ends with trusting in Christ. Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4, which describes how those
who trust in God will survive his judgment of the world. Despite an emphasis on
works and ritual in the Old Testament, faith has always been the most
foundational element of following God. (Psalm 51:16-17) And because of the gospel, it is now the source of "right standing" with God from beginning to end.(v.17)
Paul then speaks in broad terms about the spiritual
condition of the world and God’s response to it. God's wrath is not just in the
future, when God will judge the world, and it’s not just a few isolated “fire
and brimstone” episodes from the Old Testament. A form of God’s wrath was
present in Paul’s day and continues now. We can often see it openly in effect
on those who live in opposition to God’s character and will (ungodliness and
unrighteousness) and who actually suppress the truth (whether by living in
denial themselves or suppressing it in the lives of others) through the way
they think and live. (v.18)
Paul then reveals a very interesting fact: even those who
live in rejection of the gospel have some knowledge of God within them that
they suppress. Paul explains that this is because God has revealed his
invisible attributes of power and activity through what has been made, leaving
these kinds of unbelievers without any legitimate excuse. Though some may protest that God has not made his existence obvious, he HAS made his existence "obvious enough" that all are held accountable for pursuing knowledge of him or not.(v.19-20)
Paul is not specific about how this works, but we can
probably come up with a few examples. The most obvious may simply be the
grandness and wonder of creation when seen in massive scope such as a mountain
range, the Grand Canyon or the stars at night. In modern times, we can see
immense complexity that points to design under the microscope. As we look at
the complexity, beauty and grandness of creation, we are often led to ask “How
could this have come from nothing?” This and similar thoughts may be what Paul
is referring to here.
Although everyone has some knowledge of God in them, most
choose not to acknowledge him or thank him for what he has created for their
own enjoyment. Instead, people generally uselessly speculate about alternatives
to the existence of God, developing ideas that may sound intelligent on the
surface but are shown to actually be foolish when carefully examined. Yet they still
cling to these ideas and their understanding of the truth becomes darkened.
(v.21)
People who think of themselves as spiritual and wise have
actually become fools because of their rejection of truth. Instead of pursuing
knowledge of and relationship with the mind-blowingly awesome and perfectly
loving God of all reality, they pursue a made-up god who resembles flawed
humans or even animals in its characteristics. (v.22-23)
And this is where God’s wrath comes in. God historically and
presently allows people to pursue their own ideas and desires, reaping the
consequences that follow. Paul reveals that a symptom of this kind of culture
is one in which sexual activity is out of control and distorted from God’s intended
purpose. Great amounts of emotional pain naturally follow from this kind of living, and this is a portion and form of God's wrath that is in effect now. (v.24)
This happens ultimately because people trade the truth of
who God is and what he has said for a lie, and devote themselves to created
ideas or philosophies instead of the God who created everything and who is so
amazing and wonderful that he is worth giving our attention and passion to for
an infinite amount of time. (v 25)
Next Week- Further Symptoms of a Broken World
Coffee House Question- What do you think are some of the
dangers of having an inaccurate view of God?
No comments:
Post a Comment