Devotion #2: The Need We Have Known
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 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. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.” Romans 1:18-23
We have all seen movies about superheroes and the imminent threats that follow. Everything seems normal and calm; the world is perfect. Then, suddenly, a great need for a savior arises, and that is when the superhero steps in to defeat evil. This scenario resonates with us because the human heart has a special place for a superhero story. However, the story Paul describes in Romans is very different from the movies we watch.
Paul begins in Romans 1:18 with the danger to mankind: God’s wrath. All unrighteousness and everything evil in God’s sight will be destroyed. However, verses 19 and 20 reveal something different about this story. The coming catastrophe has been revealed to us; God’s reasoning for destroying sin is shown. Paul goes so far as to say that we can see the reasoning behind following God through nature around us. God’s creation explains His law and shows the depravity between us and God, “They are without excuse.”
Paul organizes this paragraph carefully: the punishment leads into the cause for wrath (the divine law of God) and then he finishes with the response by mankind. Despite knowing God, we fail to honor or thank Him, becoming futile in our thinking and darkening our hearts. Claiming to be wise, we become fools and exchange the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, animals, and creeping things.
God’s perfect law, which abhors unrighteousness and ungodliness, is far from being fulfilled by humanity. Paul articulates the desperate need for a superhero to step in for us, someone to bridge the gap between God and humanity. The perfect, holy, and supreme wrath of God stands against a world of persistent sinners.
At this point, it might seem like God is set to destroy the world, but that is where the miracle of God’s grace and mercy shines. John 3:17 tells us that the Son of Man did not come to condemn the world but to save it. Instead of sending His wrath, God offers us a way to be pardoned, freed, and paid in full. The great need for a Savior was met, and all Christ asks of us is to recognize this need and accept salvation. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
The world has a need, and that need is for a Savior. There is no excuse and no waiting. Call upon the name of the Lord and recognize your need now.