In a world of uncertainty there is security in absolutes. We like the clear-cut difference between "yes" and "no" or our choices being limited between "A or B." In Christian circles this desire can filter into doctrine to allow us to make judgments between right or wrong and to determine the "saved" from "unsaved." Though the truth of God is objective and unchanging our perception of it is in degrees because our limited understanding. Applying the revelation of God and His Word is more nuanced than a choice between two options. There are 32 compass points but not one of those readings take vertical elevation into account!
Yesterday I read Romans 1 in the morning and was impacted by something I never noticed before. It is very easy as a believer in Christ to read this passage (and others like it) with a sort of spiritual superiority akin to the way Jews viewed Gentiles before Jesus established the church and made us one in Him. When Paul talks about atheists, idolators, fornicators, or homosexuals, surely he is referring to them--not us real Christians, and certainly not me. Yet see what Romans 1:24-25 says in the KJV, "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen."
If we relegate the second part of Romans 1 to only the unsaved it has far less personal impact than if we believe it can relate to all people, including myself. The person who changed the truth of God into a lie is one who "worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator." The implication of this is enormous because this is not an atheist but one who worships and serves the Creator, to a degree has knowledge of God! This suggests a degree of worship and service unto God. The people Paul warned Timothy about in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 could be included in this number: "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" (bold emphasis mine)
Is it possible a genuine Christian can change the truth of God into a lie, to worship and serve the creature more or rather than the Creator? Sure! Christianity can be viewed as a means to a better life now through financial gain or blessings. It is the promise of eternal salvation without forgiveness, forgiveness without repentance, and repentance without brokenness for sin. The Gospel can be distorted to worship all the benefits we receive from God rather than God who has freely given us all things by His grace. Christians, like all sinners, have natural leanings towards serving the creature more than the Creator through man-pleasing, self-seeking, and being a respecter of persons. How important it is to take God's Word personally so we might take it to heart and repent, and not to imagine warnings cannot legitimately apply to us because of our two-dimensional bias.
Yesterday I read Romans 1 in the morning and was impacted by something I never noticed before. It is very easy as a believer in Christ to read this passage (and others like it) with a sort of spiritual superiority akin to the way Jews viewed Gentiles before Jesus established the church and made us one in Him. When Paul talks about atheists, idolators, fornicators, or homosexuals, surely he is referring to them--not us real Christians, and certainly not me. Yet see what Romans 1:24-25 says in the KJV, "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen."
If we relegate the second part of Romans 1 to only the unsaved it has far less personal impact than if we believe it can relate to all people, including myself. The person who changed the truth of God into a lie is one who "worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator." The implication of this is enormous because this is not an atheist but one who worships and serves the Creator, to a degree has knowledge of God! This suggests a degree of worship and service unto God. The people Paul warned Timothy about in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 could be included in this number: "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" (bold emphasis mine)
Is it possible a genuine Christian can change the truth of God into a lie, to worship and serve the creature more or rather than the Creator? Sure! Christianity can be viewed as a means to a better life now through financial gain or blessings. It is the promise of eternal salvation without forgiveness, forgiveness without repentance, and repentance without brokenness for sin. The Gospel can be distorted to worship all the benefits we receive from God rather than God who has freely given us all things by His grace. Christians, like all sinners, have natural leanings towards serving the creature more than the Creator through man-pleasing, self-seeking, and being a respecter of persons. How important it is to take God's Word personally so we might take it to heart and repent, and not to imagine warnings cannot legitimately apply to us because of our two-dimensional bias.
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