Guilty!? The Awesomeness of God’s Grace in the Letter to the RomansSample

A Broken Relationship

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” Romans 1:18 (ESV)

We were created as relational beings. We have relationships for a variety of reasons; for example, to help us meet our basic needs. But relationships also offer the opportunity to give and receive love and share happiness. We are the products of a relationship between two individuals, however long or short that was. Ultimately, our lives depend on our relationship with God the Creator.

Sadly, all too often, close relationships fail. A son and a father have a falling out, can’t work it out, and never speak to each other again. Or a marriage ends in divorce. Both situations are profoundly tragic.

Yet there is a greater tragedy—many have no relationship with God. Either they or their parents have left the relationship. Maybe there has never been a relationship. Not having a relationship with God is a recipe for disaster. Paul addresses this when he explains that humans were created to protect and care for God’s Creation. We were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27).

In Eden, Adam and Eve rebelled against God and disobeyed Him (Genesis 3), thus rupturing the relationship with their Creator. As a result, things went sideways among humans as well, with wrongs being committed. That continues today, and we are part of that reality. We don’t revere God as we should; we worship other gods—money, sex, power—for example. We are in no position to eradicate the evil in the world around us because corruption is an integral part of our human nature. We cannot act justly or correctly according to God’s standard of what is just or right. So that is the diagnosis, and later in Romans we can read about the solution.

When we don’t show reverence, gratitude, and obedience to God, evil and godlessness permeate all we do. Injustice follows. Society falls apart. In times of war, truth is the first victim. This is what happens when we rebel against God. Do you see yourself in this picture of the truth He reveals to us? The Holy Spirit desires to convict you, and Jesus desires to save you. He is the Truth.