SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Scripture: Romans 1:18-21

Romans 1:18-21 says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” These are the verses that tell us the wrath of God is coming to be revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who ‘suppress the truth in unrighteousness.’ As we absorb this, we realize that there are probably some serious acts of God that have to come and they are going to start with people who suppress the truth because they knew God and yet have not glorified Him. A very good example of that is the act of America’s 1972 Supreme Court removing prayer from our schools. What they opened the nation to and what they have brought upon the land is a weighty matter in the eyes of God. Number two on the list of unrighteous issues is, “nor were they thankful.” In a measure that would be like the disallowing of all public displays of Christianity such as the ban on public manger scenes. They knew God, yet they did not glorify Him as God, nor were they thankful. There is a move today to remove all crosses and other Christian symbols from the public square. If the particular politicians we support and vote for push or even tolerate culture-warping morality, then we are in part responsible. We must look at our own heart motivations and purposes. Is our own spiritual compass off center? Let the judgment of God come on those who knowingly violate biblical principles! May God cut off their influence and their voice. To the same degree that they invite darkness for the nation, let it fall on them. Romans 1 outlines the seven steps of rejecting God that culminate in the destruction and loss of a nation. Are we almost there? Are we lining up with what our forefathers stood for in honoring God’s righteous path? The question now is, will the church rise up and become the conscience of the nation? We need to read and reread this first chapter of Romans. Will we stand for righteousness in the midst of a culture that is moving toward perversion?