For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Romans 1:20 NIV
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Creation can and is beautiful. If you have ever travelled through the mountains in Colorado or Vermont you know that God’s beauty can be overwhelming, but in a good way. Maybe your connection isn’t the mountains; maybe it’s the ocean or something else. No matter what it is, you know that God had a hand in it.
In this Scripture today Paul is talking about what we can know through creation. For Paul, he has two kinds of people in mind: those with faith and those without it. Those who have faith in Christ can find the beauty in creation. This kind of beauty is the kind of beauty that confirms God’s love for us. God loves us so much that He has created this world and all the beauty in it for us. Further, He has done so that they we can know that He loves us!
There is second kind of person that Paul has in mind. They are the people who have yet to place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Creation plays a different role for them. According to Paul, creation does reveal something to them as it reveals something to us. What is revealed, though, is different. Instead of creation being a message of love, it is a message of condemnation and wrath. How is this? Creation is a reminder that those who do not have faith are targets of God wrath and great power that is seen in creation. Creation becomes intimidating. They develop an unhealthy fear of God (versus a healthy fear that those who have faith have of God). Creation becomes a constant reminder that they are not included, but have excluded themselves from this love that God has communicated. This is why Paul says they are “without excuse.” They know God through creation, but deny His power and love. There are no excuses; they know God but fear His wrath.
We are coming into a beautiful time of year in the midwest. The trees are finally budding, flowers are blooming, etc. Remember that through creation for those who have faith we know God’s love for us!
Romans 1:20 NIV
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Creation can and is beautiful. If you have ever travelled through the mountains in Colorado or Vermont you know that God’s beauty can be overwhelming, but in a good way. Maybe your connection isn’t the mountains; maybe it’s the ocean or something else. No matter what it is, you know that God had a hand in it.
In this Scripture today Paul is talking about what we can know through creation. For Paul, he has two kinds of people in mind: those with faith and those without it. Those who have faith in Christ can find the beauty in creation. This kind of beauty is the kind of beauty that confirms God’s love for us. God loves us so much that He has created this world and all the beauty in it for us. Further, He has done so that they we can know that He loves us!
There is second kind of person that Paul has in mind. They are the people who have yet to place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Creation plays a different role for them. According to Paul, creation does reveal something to them as it reveals something to us. What is revealed, though, is different. Instead of creation being a message of love, it is a message of condemnation and wrath. How is this? Creation is a reminder that those who do not have faith are targets of God wrath and great power that is seen in creation. Creation becomes intimidating. They develop an unhealthy fear of God (versus a healthy fear that those who have faith have of God). Creation becomes a constant reminder that they are not included, but have excluded themselves from this love that God has communicated. This is why Paul says they are “without excuse.” They know God through creation, but deny His power and love. There are no excuses; they know God but fear His wrath.
We are coming into a beautiful time of year in the midwest. The trees are finally budding, flowers are blooming, etc. Remember that through creation for those who have faith we know God’s love for us!
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