Bible Verse Friday #33

"But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness."~ Romans 1:18

My NLT Life Application Study Bible says the following:

1:18 Why is God angry at sinful people?  Because they have substituted the truth about him with a lie (1:25).  They have stifled the truth God naturally reveals to all people in order to believe anything that supports their own self-centered lifestyles.  God cannot tolerate sin because his nature is morally perfect.  He cannot ignore or condone willful rebellion.  God wants to remove the sin and restore the sinner--and he is able to, as long as they sinner does not stubbornly distort or reject the truth.  But God shows his anger against those who persist in sinning.  Make sure you are not pursuing a lie rather than the true God. Don't suppress the truth about him merely to protect your own lifestyle.

Let's read verse 1:25 real quick to see what the above referenced-

"They traded the truth about God for a lie.  So they worshipped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise!  Amen".

As I reflect on this verse I can't help but think about the little things from day to day that remind me there has to be a God.

Take butterflies for instance.

So many kinds.

Each one, though small, is jam packed with an intricate design and powerhouse of colors.

There has to be a God who created such a creature.

"...truth God naturally reveals to all people..."

He shows us daily that he is real and yet there are still those who refuse to believe.

You've met that person who will argue just to argue that there can't be a God because of all the bad that happens in the world.  

The ones who think that Christians use God as a blanket of comfort to hide from the 'truth' that this is a harsh and cruel world we live in.

Sometimes, I think these people are lying to themselves more than trying to convince us that there is no God.

I know that God shows them daily that he is here, but they choose to ignore it so that they can continue living what they perceive to be a comfortable or fun lifestyle.
It is funny to me how non-Christians think that by being a Christian it means you can't have fun anymore.  (Maybe we just have different definitions of fun.....)

I feel that I come from a different perspective on being a Christian.

I don't think I am an IN YOUR FACE kind of person.

I'm not going to argue with you about God's existence.

Instead I pray that God will shine through me and that people who meet me will genuinely see Gods love and acceptance in me and in turn feel drawn to learning more about our heavenly father.

I know that there are evangelical Christians, the kind that get in your face and preach the fire and damnation.

There are the holier than thou types, who think their way is the only way.

And yes there are judgmental Christians, these are the ones that push people away from God without knowing that is what they are doing.

I think I need to give a special thanks to our last church for opening my eyes to God's love more than ever.

God loves all people, don't let this verse scare you that he doesn't.

What I get from this verse is that people tend to worship things rather than God.

People create false idols and forget who put those things here for us.

People would rather be blind than see the truth and that is what the verse is referring to.

I challenge you to reflect on what Romans 1:20-21 says:

"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.  Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature.  So they have no excuse for not knowing God.  Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks.  And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like.  As a result, their minds became dark and confused."

Look around this weekend and take in everything God has made.  

Focus on the details he put into everything.

Thank him for his wonderful creations and worship him for his divine being.

The next time you encounter someone who wants to argue God's existence, think about your words before you speak.  Do not come across as harsh.  Focus on coming across lovingly.  Choosing your words carefully and maybe even saying the quickest of prayers that God would choose your words for you.  Your reaction to an encounter like this could mean the difference of someone worshipping false idols OR seeing God's love reflected and choosing to believe in him.

I hope you have a Blessed Friday!