LEARNING DAILY

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.

I try to write encouragement. But God wants people, even Believers, to be reminded about God’s attitude toward human sinfulness. The gospel is a big deal! This verse from Romans is powerful in its reminder about the consequences of turning away from God and live in disobedience to His Word. Reread the previous verses and remember Paul has written about the gospel as the central issue regarding how God saves people and makes them righteous. Now he is writing that all people need this gospel and God’s righteousness because all people are unrighteous. God’s wrath is going to come against all unrighteousness, against those who suppress the truth; those who do this do not want to believe what is true of God.

This verse is extremely important for why so many resist believing God’s truth – they do not want to believe truth. Instead, they suppress it by refusing to acknowledge God or give Him thanks for anything. John 3:19-20, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” God’s righteousness cannot and will not coexist with unrighteousness and ungodliness. There will be consequences for those who suppress the truth and reject God’s directions to live a holy life with Him.

Here is the challenge this verse brings to each Believer: God’s judgment of sin and unrighteousness is real. This is a call for each Believer to take a moment and examine their lives and align their life to God’s standards, His truth. Be sure you are walking the narrow way each day in your decisions and relationships. If there is sinful behavior that you have not confessed, do so considering 1 John 1:9. Do not go another moment without confessing sinful behavior, thoughts, and speech. Believers still sin; it needs to be confessed knowing that God is faithful to cleanse you of all unrighteousness.

Your knowledge and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ should be enough for you to know His power and glory. That should lead you to desire a closer relationship with Him, to be obedient to His Word each day “to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:1). You already know that the way to draw closer to the Lord is through reading/studying/meditating on His word and the time you spend in prayer. That is how He guides you and gives you the wisdom to live your life for Him. Just like you need to balance your family life with your work time, you need to find time for God each day. Neglecting this time can disrupt who you are as a Believer! By God’s grace and our faith in Him, God fixed our problem of unrighteousness!