Believing A Lie To Be Truth

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,  who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.’” – Romans 1:18-25

God has revealed Himself in and through His creation sufficiently for all to know that He exists and desires relationship with us. In fact He has provided additional revelation over the centuries. Why? We do not know – but only that He chose to. Today He continues to send those who might speak for Him. Not just pastors, preachers, or missionaries, but those who are not schooled in seminaries and colleges, but in the schoolhouse of life, faith and obedience. Christians just like you and me.

God speaks through the Bible. Truths like those in Romans 1 are not meant to be critical but descriptive. Knowing that people who are seeking fulfillment in life through a way other than Jesus and faith in God are going to behave in a certain way should be enlightening.  We should not be surprised by the decadence, immorality, prejudices, inequality, and violence that is creeping around the world – devouring nation after nation.  I read a headline that said, “Christianity in the United States is Dying”. I don’t think it is dying – I do think that the heart of man is being revealed and many who called themselves Christians were merely religious. They too quickly abandoned the faith, as they understood it, and “exchanged the truth of God for a lie.”

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Has God indeed said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’” – Genesis 3:1-5

The great deception. It started in the Garden. Satan’s suggestion that God would deceive us and tell us that something was true when it was not. That God was merely trying to keep us from being fulfilled.  And if God would lie about one thing – well then you could not really trust anything He said.  Do you see what Satan was doing – what he is doing?

Look around you Christian – the world believes the lie – that people can do what they want – that they will not surely die. But apart from Jesus – they will indeed surely die. Their ability to continue in their sin is not proof that they are independent – free from judgement. Just because man declares something to be true – that is contrary to the expressed revelation of God – does not make it so. What God has declared as truth cannot be made a lie – it can be ignored. “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,  who exchanged the truth of God for the lie” Don’t think for a minute that you are immune to the temptation to do the same. We are bombarded with temptations every day. But there is good news.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13

How exactly – more on that tomorrow.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone