May 9: God has revealed Himself to all men

But God's angry displeasure erupts as acts of human mistrust and wrongdoing and lying accumulate, as people try to put a shroud over truth. But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse. What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn't treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in his hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand. (Romans 1:18-23 – The Message)

Men have no excuse for their sins. They are in rebellion against God, and are going against what they know is right. Every person already has knowledge of God, of His divine being, and His eternal power. This knowledge comes from the world and universe around us, and from within. But most people don’t use this knowledge to seek God and worship Him, instead they put a shroud over truth and go their own way. When this happens, Satan gains the upper hand and begins to work destruction of all kinds. Idolatry, spiritual deception, misery, oppression, and sin are the results of man's turning away from God.

It’s our job to respond to God in humility and obedience, thankfulness and praise. There is no life apart from God, and no future. It is not primarily knowledge of God that people lack, but rather humility and willingness to take their place as dependent creatures under His authority and care. It is not ignorance that is man’s great problem, but rebellion and pride. This pride and rebellious nature causes men to reject the very One who can help them. It causes them to think they are wise and have no need of God. But to those who humble themselves and live according to the knowledge they have, God gives increasing light and knowledge and blessing.

Many can be so clever when it comes to their career, education, fashion, music, money and various other things connected to this world, and so illiterate when it comes to God and spiritual things. They concentrate their efforts on everything but God, and figure that those things will guarantee them a good life. But as Romans 1 says, they are only trading the glory of God, who holds the whole world in His hands, for cheap substitutes. Let’s make sure we fight for the real thing, not cheap substitutes.