4/21/10 Romans 1 - Due to sickness I was a day late uploading this one.
Step 1: Creation
(Ro 1:20)20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
When we encounter people who have no or limited knowledge of the Scripture, we often refer to them as pagan, ungodly, wicked, or the unrighteous. We must remember that although we may refer to them in this way it should not be used in a derogatory tone. Many have never been told the truth and rather than making accusations toward them we should consider how we may respond with the truth to their incredible need. We should be humbled by the very fact that God called us and saved us by no effort of our own. Instead of looking with a glaring eye toward those who live without Christ or avoiding them all together, we should have the compassion of Christ and the perspective of God that envisions the potential they have in Christ.
Here in Romans 1 Paul states that the wrath of God is upon those who suppress the truth of that is within them and outside of them. Paul mentions that creation is the first thing outside of them that reveals something about the true God. Creation itself testifies to God’ attributes, eternal power, and divine nature. As we read through the book of Acts, I noticed how Paul used creation to introduced God to the pagan, ungodly, wicked, or unrighteous of his day also called the Gentiles.
When Paul and Barnabas came to Lystra there was a man there who had been lamed from birth. Paul healed him and those who witnessed this started referring to Paul and Barnabas as gods. There response to this was point them to the true God and the first place that they started is with creation. (Ac 14:15)15”and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.” Paul goes on to say that the true God has provided you a witness about Himself in the good that He did by sending rains which produced food for you.
Paul uses the same approach when he is in Athens at Mars Hill and proclaims to them the true God who they worship in ignorance. He begins by telling them God is the one who has made everything and has need of nothing. (Ac 17:24)24“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;” So when we have an opportunity to witness to the non-religious remember the first step in introducing God is that He is the creator of heaven and earth.
For those of us who have been raised in church and are familiar with the scriptures it seems that belief in God as creator is common sense, but this is not so. The author of Hebrews indicates that it is by faith that we believe that God has created the world (Heb11:3). There was no one present at creation; there were no witnesses, so all who believe in creation believe by faith. People either have faith in the word of God about creation or they have faith in the word of men about creation or the have faith in their own reasoning. So whatever you believe about creation requires faith.
Prayer: Father, I thank you that your word is true and faithful. I praise you because you have revealed in the scriptures yourself. Your creative power has demonstrated your eternal power and divine nature. When I encounter people who do not know you, remind me not to assume that they believe in You, the God of the Bible, until they believe in You as creator of heaven and earth, in Jesus name. Amen.