Romans opens with Paul addressing the people as a “devoted slave of Jesus Christ” (MSG) sent and authorized by God to go and spread the good news of Jesus.
Ignoring God leads to an ultimate disaster by the people… we see everything with our own eyes of what God has made, therefore we have no excuse, reasoning, rational to turn our backs on Jesus.
The NLT version mentions the “invisible qualities” that we clearly see with our own eyes and continues in mentioning the “eternal power and divine nature” which in return leaves us as humans with no valid explanation as to why we would shut our eyes towards the ultimate master.
God is almighty powerful, but instead, it was easier to replace God with other gods that we choose to worship; moving away from worshipping the God we knew perfectly well (MSG), comes confusion and dismay in the minds of the people. Sin became more powerful and the world begins to grow darker.
Why do we choose to worship materialistic items? While driving on a road trip, its often common to find people, crafters, on the side of the road selling their goods. We become so fascinated in these items and the “story” that is behind it that we are quick to worship them. We want to show these artifacts off. The same thing applies to our lives today in the world we know as “normal” (is there really even a normal today?!, NO!), we worship other people, we idolize celebrities today or electronics… trying to be one step ahead of the Jones’. It’s all about what makes us look good. We always have a new toy to show off or a new job or promotion to brag about… but we never brag about Jesus and we never show him off. Are we ashamed? For many people, myself included will answer yes we are, yes i am. But I won’t say it out loud. I’ll try to cover it up or sweep it under the rug because it’s no big deal. Its not “easy” being the one to talk about their relationship with Jesus and what He has done in their life… its almost as if its more profound or sounds better to talk about the Iphone you just bought at the store and how many apps you have; or what your stocks are doing, or how much gas is that day. What if we took just a few minutes to talk about Jesus… What He is doing in my life. Jesus is not an app.
As Paul continues in Romans 1… We see how God steps back and allows the people to worship who and how they want. But confusion and darkness quickly takes over and we easily see how fast a life can fall apart. Sin became bigger as people moved into a complete foolish state. With murder, sex, greed, hate, malicious behavior and gossip ruling their lives. Women began to participate in sexual behavior with each other just as men began to lust after other men. But this is what the people wanted. All along they were blinded with their own eyes of the majesty that the Master had mastered. All that is right in front of our eyes but it’s easier to live the life on earth. All the physical brings a warm feeling even though we know we are throwing our sin right in the face of God. The worst out of all of this as the bible tells us is that these people who are participating in this sinful lifestyle are encouraging others to join in. The Message version mentions that prizes are being handed out to those who do the worst…… Do I really want to be rewarded for being the one who performs the worst sin?! The worst crime?! What does that look like in my life today because more often than I accept, It’s happening.
In Romans 1:17 we are promised a righteous life through faith. Trusting and obeying in Jesus while living a life that is faithful to him is where we receive our righteousness. Worshipping Jesus is faith. Worshipping Jesus is reality. One day all the material idols will disappear and we are left with only option… how faithful was I with Jesus and did I worship Him fully. Worship is more than just pretty songs we sing and lifting our hands high… worship is attesting all glory to Jesus and all praise in everything that we do. Studying His word, spreading the good news by being a light into a dark dark world, helping someone who is stuck is all worshipping the King. Jesus Christ is a gift, a gift that is not returnable, or exchangeable, but a gift that is priceless and a gift that has more meaning than any human can ever comprehend. We are promised an eternal righteousness life through faith in Him.
United. 