Looking Out and Looking Up

GETTING STARTED

Paul sets the doctrinal stage in the first three chapters of Romans with the fact that we are all sinners who are utterly lost. As in, there is none righteous, no not one. Not you, not me, not Mother Teresa. But in our depravity, God reaches out and reveals himself; he makes the first move. His heavens declare the glory of God; the sky above proclaims his handiwork (Psalm 19). This wordless speech of creation shouts out to our dulled ears. It begs our attention. But some still choose to suppress so great a wonder that is literally right in front of their eyes.

  • How, or why, can we sometimes miss what is right before us?

READ THE WORD: ROMANS 1:18-20 (ESV)

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. Against whom is the wrath of God revealed? Why?
  2. What has God shown to all people since the creation of the world?
  3. What truths are the unrighteous suppressing?
  4. What does it look like to suppress truth?
  5. Is there any area where you are suppressing the truths that God has shown you?

RESPOND TO GOD

Suppression of the truth is the rejection of God himself. As one starts down this path of putting aside the truth, it leads to a slippery slope. Our hearts begin to worship created things instead of the Creator; our morality becomes shaped by our godless desires. But more than outward behavior, suppression is, first and foremost, a heart issue. Looking out at all that God has created should cause us to look up in awe and wonder to him. When our eyes are fixed on the glory of the Creator, our hearts are able to joyfully submit and follow. Take care to look out and look up.

  • Pray that your unbelieving friends would be stirred by God’s creation to consider him.
  • Ask God to reveal any area of his truth to which you are blinded, and then submit yourself to what he reveals.