Romans 1:18-32

 Romans 1:18-32

We tend to look at the second half of Romans chapter 1 and focus our attention on the massive and runaway depravity described in verses 26-32. These grandiose expressions of wickedness are pretty extreme and powerful and can excite a vigorous reaction in us. The people who do them seem to be so different from us that it feels somewhat safe to talk about their sins and the extremity of the wickedness expressed in their lives. But we must recognize that evil is never static. It is always spiraling down to greater depths of depravity. We must also recognize that the deeper level of evil represents a move to an overpowering form of bondage, self-deception and personal slavery making it more difficult for a person to see their need for repentance.

What is often missed is the beginning point of this path of degradation. People do not simply end up in the state of being reprobate; perverse distortions of what God intended them to be in an instance. They are here as a result of a process, often a long and slow process.   The key question for us to consider is what is the first step in that process?  How did their slide into iniquity begin? That first step is described for us in verse 21. In verses 19-20, we see that there is evidence for God in creation around us. Atheism and agnosticism is by no means a new thing, it was widespread in Paul’s day. The denial of God is a result of a choice to live without God, not the lack of evidence for Him.   In verse 21, Paul tells us that choice is rooted in two key refusals. “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks…” The first is a refusal to glorify God. The second is refusal to give thanks to Him. To glorify God, to render to Him the honor due Him requires a person to say, “God, You are greater than I.”  To give thanks demands us to say, “God, I am dependent upon You.” Those are two statements that are completely the opposite of what sinful, fallen man desires. The beginning of great depravity is to deny the goodness of God and what He has done.

Take any sin you want from the list provided in verses 26-32 and examine it and you will find it requires a person to say, “God, my plan or my will is superior to yours and I am not thankful for what you have done and created. I am convinced that there is something better than what you have given, something better than what you have done.” Also, note that worship and thankfulness are very closely related. To say, “You are great and all You have done is good” is only a slightly different statement from “I am thankful for You and for all you have done”. 

When we talk about Thanksgiving we must go much deeper than the gratitude for the 4-F’s (food, family, friends and freedom). These are just the tip of the iceberg. They are the touch point of thanks; the truth beyond them though is infinitely deep.

“Lord, help me to always be living with a heart of gratitude. AMEN”