ROMANS 1 ON SUPPRESSING THE TRUTH

Описание: January 14
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ROMANS 1
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. – Romans 1:18-23
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ROMANS 1 ON SUPPRESSING THE TRUTH
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
If you do not honor or thank the Lord
You will surely suppress the truth
Since the truth sets us free
Suppressing it will bond us to sin
Those who twist and pervert the truth
Will become futile, deceived and utter fools.
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According to the ESV study bible, the wrath of God mentioned here by Paul refers to his personal anger against sin. God’s anger is his holy response to rejection of his love and law. Enduring.com defines ungodliness as man’s offenses against God and unrighteousness refers to the sins of man against man. Paul is addressing the Christians and the Gentiles in Rome in this letter. Paul writes this letter to a particular church in Rome. His letter applies the eternal truth of the gospel to their real-life concerns. Paul’s mission is to bring about the obedience of faith.
When we become followers of Christ, we are given the Holy Spirit so we can walk in love and in truth. Scriptures are truth and if we follow it, we would bear fruits of righteousness. Paul addresses those who are suppressors of truth in these following verses. Who is actually suppressing the truth? Apparently, the whole of humanity does. How do humans hinder truth? Throughout the history of mankind, both believers and unbelievers have somehow suppressed truth by fighting against it, disregarding it and deliberately concealing it. Because of the original sin, we automatically do not serve God but our own selves. By not following his commands, we are also guilty of suppressing truth. By not spreading God’s word, we are also hiding it. By twisting its meaning and making it our own, we are actually defying truth.
Verse 19 tells the Romans and also all of us believers that there is no reason for us not to know God because he has shown himself to all of mankind in his creation and within the mind and heart of man. So, there is no excuse for us not to acknowledge God or suppress his truth or God’s wrath is what we will eventually reap. We become foolish, futile and deceived.
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REFLECTION
· Share some insights on suppressors of truth and its aftermath on their lives.