First, with a few hitches last week we didn't end up starting our discussion of I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church. Tomorrow we'll remedy that with an after worship discussion and lunch across the street at the Boulevard. We'll visit for a little while in Christler Hall before heading over to dig into a great book. I still have copies, so even if you haven't started reading you're more than welcome to join in now; it won't take you long to catch up. We'll be talking about the introduction tomorrow.
Today's reading from Romans sets the stage for this towering letter. Paul begins by explaining how everyone has the chance to see God's majesty through the glory of creation, but many people choose to turn away from God. Instead of worshiping God, people set up idols to give holiness to our own ideas. Idols aren't limited to pagan cultures of the past, even people who take their faith seriously can fall into idolatry and put pieces of the world ahead of God. This reading pairs with the second chapter, which warns religious people that they are not safe from sin either. With that in mind, Paul argues that everyone falls short of God's calling, so we all need Christ's grace.
Blessings on your weekend,
Sam
Romans 1:16-25
16For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith.” 18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth.
19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse; 21for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened.
22Claiming to be wise, they became fools; 23and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. 24Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves, 25because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
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