Romans 1:20-23. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 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.
You see your world in this, do you not? You are surrounded by people who refuse to acknowledge me. You are surrounded by people who would rather worship what they create than the Creator of all. Yes, it is a choice. Perhaps it could be said that they do not know me personally, that they do not know exactly who I am. But they know – all know – that there is a God. There is a God who created them and everything they see and hear and touch and smell and all that they don’t see or hear or touch or smell. They know, in their hearts and souls, that they are not gods. This first step – the acknowledgement that they are not supreme beings, that they cannot and should not be in charge of everything, that they are inferior to me – that first step is a choice and without making the right choice, they will not know me. So here they are – making ridiculous decisions, worshiping evil and trying to eradicate the world of you – my followers. Pray for them. Continue to present me to them. Stand firm in your faith and your knowledge and your relationship with me. But do not excuse them. Do not compromise for them. And hold them accountable for their choices. Ultimately, it is they – no one else – that are responsible for the decisions made about me. It is they who decide not to have faith in me, not to have a relationship with me, not to allow me into their lives to help them to grow and prosper. They choose to reject me in favor of the worship of self. (2022)
Amanuensis 