Foolish Thinking (JustJeff

Foolish Thinking

Romans 1:19-21
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

One of the major objections to Christianity is the question of what happens to those who have not had a formal presentation of the gospel. The thinking says that it's unfair for God to condemn people who haven't had a chance to hear and respond. It seems to be a logical question. The problem with this kind of thinking in my mind is the premise it seems to begin with. That premise seems to be that for an individual to be able to aknowledge thier need for God is dependant upon being exposed to Him by another person or set of circumstances. It's like you get a recommendation from someone else about some appliane that makes thier life easier, so you go out and get one to. So if that was the case, I understand the dilema that these people are in. But I think its the ultimate example of how mankind's mind has been darkened, our thoughts being futile.

If mankind has been truly created in God's image, then "what may be know of God is manifest"in us. God has shown Himself to us. Without going into a long list of evidence that would try to prove the point, I want to point people to God's nature. God's nature is love. His purpose is to reveal himself to men; to be known. His love for mankind is what motivated him to create us in the first place. His love for mankind is the reason for our free will. His love for each person calls out for each one to respond to His grace. It is these things that cause people to reject God - "although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful..."

The problem with mankind is not God's sovreignty, but our own "foolish hearts." Our hearts and minds that have to choose to ignore our conscience and our own spirit's yearning for a connection with our creator. Our problem is the fact that we are not thankful, instead we choose to accuse God as being powerless and uninterested. To blame God for the horrific actions of mankind while refusing to accept responsibility shows the foolishness of our refusal to aknowledge man's need for God.

God doesn't have anything to prove, nor does he have any position to defend. Instead, He had made every provision to be known. This truth leaves man without an excuse to respond.

Posted by Jeff on July 13, 2003 12:00 AM | Permalink

Foolish Thinking

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