Devotion #3: Without Excuse

There is a long-standing question surrounding Christianity that has been around for centuries, and that question is: “How can God hold people accountable for their sin if they were never taught about sin?” Maybe in your daily conversations with family, friends, and coworkers, you have encountered this question. Maybe you do not have a firm answer yet, and that is okay. Ultimately, this is an excellent question and one we should ponder as Christians. My goal, through this devotion is to give you some tools to use through the Word of God to better equip yourself to answer such a question.  

In Romans 1:19-20, Paul addresses this exact challenge to our faith: “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.” What Paul is saying is the attributes of God exist within His creation for His glory. Practically, what does this mean? In creation, we see beauty, power, order, purpose, and design. As humans, God has also given us reason and critical thinking skills. As we look at nature, we know instinctively that there must be a Creator. Next time you overlook a beautiful scene in nature, ask yourself, “Is this a result of a random explosion, or is this designed by a Creator?” 

Paul continues in Romans 1:21-23 saying, “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.” Paul is saying that all humans, by nature, know God; however, they choose to suppress that belief and darken their hearts. This is a warning to not replace God with science and human wisdom. This mindset is what leads to elevating the creation over the Creator and, in so doing, becoming fools and idolaters. Here lies the two-edged sword of the testimony of creation; it both saves and condemns. For those who see creation as the work of God, it points us to the truth and validity of the Bible. For those who see creation as an accident, the creation itself becomes more valuable than God.  

Ultimately no human is without excuse of sin. We know innately that there must be a Creator and a Designer to our world - although we are fallen and sinful, God has made a way for redemption through His Son, Christ Jesus. In 1 Timothy 1:15 we read, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”