Honor God, or go your own way. Romans 1.21-23

Honor God, or Go your own way. Romans 1.21-23

Zoom out for a minute with me . . . let’s take a look at where we find ourselves in Scripture. Paul has turned his attention toward the Christians in Rome. In his opening remarks, he comprehensively covers the nature of who Christ is, and what he has done. He makes it clear it is his life’s aim to preach the gospel unapologetically, and affirms that the righteous live by faith.

Paul explains that God has made himself known to people through all that he has created . . . and yet—“although they knew God, they neither
glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their
thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although
they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of
the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and
animals and reptiles.” Romans 1.21-23

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is not accidental that Paul takes us to the beginning—creation—to substantiate how God has revealed himself to us. In
the beginning, God . . . when mankind was created, he walked with God;
that is how it all started, that is how things were meant to be. Man is meant for relationship with God, don’t you see?

You know, one of the pitfalls in having the written word in our hands, all of it at once, is that we know what comes next … the unfolding story,
which is great, in most respects. However, in the case of Eden and the Fall of man, we often fail to contemplate the ‘what could, what should have been’ if it were not for sin. Could we just go back to the Garden of Eden, and contemplate how life was supposed to be? Just
imagine living in Paradise—the beauty of a perfect garden existence,
and being able to walk and talk with God … That is where you and I are
meant to live--in perfect, right relationship with God!

Why do we choose otherwise? Well, what happened with Adam and Eve? Why did they make a decision contrary to God’s way for them? We remember that the devil (in the form of a serpent), tempted them by saying, "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened,
and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3.5 Doubt entered Paradise.

A decision had to be made: to honor God and glorify him, or give into the temptation of the pride of knowing, of (allegedly) becoming like God. Every human being has had the same life decision to make:

HONOR GOD or GO OUR OWN WAY

In small ways and large ways, we plot our course even on a day-to-day basis—to keep God as God in our lives, to honor him as such, and to stay
in right relationship with him . . . or not. At one time or another, we have all been offered the ‘forbidden fruit’; we are no different from Adam and Eve. They had a choice, we have a choice—

“Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like.
As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And
instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped
idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.” from the New Living Translation.

Removing God from the right place in our lives,

choosing not to worship him as God,

neglecting to give him thanks . . .

all come with consequence,

and lead to foolishness.

In the beginning, God …

In the end, God.

Will you honor him or will you go your own way?

Christine