Creator, Father, King #263

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.

THERE’S NO DENYING IT: the people of the ancient world were quite creative. But don’t confuse “creative” with “spiritually wise.”

As the historic cultures tried to make sense of the world around them, they concocted some wild mythologies. The Mesopotamians and Egyptians, for instance, invented gods and goddesses that were half-human and half-animal. Others, such as the Greeks and Romans, considered themselves “enlightened” by elevating humanity in their divine pantheons (as if worshiping fictitious human entities was enlightened!).

The apostle Paul, writing in Romans 1:18-23, condemned such idolatrous rebellion against God:

God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 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.

This vital passage of Scripture is about human accountability.

What’s It Mean?

From the beginning, God has revealed himself to us. He didn’t have to. But he chose to out of his great love for us—through general revelation (the universe he created) and special revelation (his spoken and written word). Then, at his appointed time in history, he revealed himself perfectly and sacrificially in human form through the living Word—his Son, Jesus Christ, as a payment for our sins (John 1:14; Galatians 4:4-5). In other words, we have no excuse for not knowing God (today’s verse).

Most ancient cultures rebelled against God and chose to worship the creation instead of the Creator. Today, it’s largely the same, although we have replaced creature idols with idols of self-absorption, money, and material possessions.

God has adequately revealed himself to you. Have you submitted your heart to him?

Now What?

Pick an ancient culture and study their mythology to see the futility of their religious beliefs in light of Romans 1:18-32.

Did You Know?

The ancient Greeks worshiped many deities, but primarily the twelve residents of Mount Olympus.