Did not honor him

So they are without excuse;  for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened - Romans 1:20-21

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Reflecting on my own Christian journey, and the verses from Romans 1:20-21 So they are without excuse;  for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened, and verses 24-25: Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves,  because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.

I too was once trapped in the bondage of a dark & hidden sin that ultimately destroyed my marriage. It gave me a depraved mind and an unrepentant heart that refused to submit to God's Will, even though I thought I was faithfully serving in church and even able to quote Bible verses. Out of sinful human pride, I had continued to indulge in that shameful habit.

God the Father in His infinite mercy, saw through the wretched state of my sinful heart, did not give up on me. But He sent to my aid, counsellors, therapists, and godly friends who were able to help me to uncover the root cause of these deeply rooted dark habits. Slowly but surely with His refining fire, helped to burn away the dross of impure thoughts, words and actions. Just like the Divine Potter who breaks His clay repeatedly, until it is molded into His desired useful shape.

As St Paul wrote in Romans 8:28:  We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Or as the prophet Jeremiah reminded all of us in Jeremiah 29:11:  For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

God the Father had allowed the fiery trials of a physical, mental and emotional breakdown to shape my body, soul and spirit, more into the likeness of His one and only Begotten Son, our LORD Jesus Christ.

This is my prayer, that all of us at the end of running this race called life, may stare with unveiled faces at the fullness of God's glory in His Heavenly Court, and echo what St Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 : I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

I'll close my short sharing with this song of thanksgiving which always brings a tear to my eyes whenever I hear or sing it in church:  "Thank You Lord (For the Trials That Come My Way)."

Thank You Lord (For the Trials That Come My Way)

Verse 1

Thank You Lord

for the trials that come my way.

In that way I can grow each day

as I let You lead,

And I thank You, Lord,

for the patience those trials bring.

In that process of growing,

I can learn to care.

 

Chorus

 

But it goes against the way I am

To put my human nature down

and let the Spirit take control of all I do.

'Cause when those trials come,

My human nature shouts the thing to do;

And God's soft prompting

Can be easily ignored.

 

Verse 2

 

I thank you, Lord,

with each trial I feel inside,

that You're there to help,

lead and guide me away from wrong.

'Cause You promised, Lord,

That with every testing,

That Your way of escaping is easier to bear.

 

(Repeat Chorus)

 

I thank You, Lord,

For the victory that growing brings.

In surrender of everything

Life is so worthwhile.

And I thank You, Lord,

that when everything's put in place,

Out in front I can see Your face,

And it's there You belong 

Youtube: https://youtu.be/RkzLQojR8Rg?si=TorlwhXImziZ8d7S © 1972 by Lexicon Music Inc Writer: Dan Burgess CCLI #15276   Reflection on Romans 1:18-32 by Chris