Following Truth
Scripture Reading — Romans 1:21-32
They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
In our reading from Romans today, Paul paints a picture of what happens when people do what is right in their own eyes.
When people “suppress the truth” (Romans 1:18), they no longer want God to function as God in their lives. Their thinking becomes futile, and their minds and hearts grow dark. And God says, in effect, “If that’s what you want, that’s what you get” (The Message). God gives them over to their own desires, and all kinds of immorality and destructive behavior take over in their lives. Paul summarizes in a way like this: “Since they didn’t bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose. And then all hell broke loose” (The Message).
If I didn’t care about God or what God says, I might be irritated by this passage. But I do care, and the last thing I want is for God to let me destroy myself. Since I know how easily I can turn to my own ideas of truth, or what I wish truth to be, what do I do with this?
God’s answer is clear: we need to follow the one who is Truth, the one who won’t be deceived or deceive. That’s the track to life. The only road.
The story of the lost son (Luke 15) gives me hope. It tells me that when Truth helps me see that I am off track, my Father is also waiting to help me get home. That is gospel truth!
Father, your hand in my life is life. Forgive me for the ways I have not acknowledged you. Lead me on the path that brings me to you. In Christ, Amen.
About the author — Henry Kranenburg
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