Wednesday, 17 April 2013

Romans 1:24-25 // Nature Worship Then And Now

Romans 1:24-25

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Because people have turned their attention to the things of creation and not glorified God, he allows them to live out their evil. As they follow their appetites, passions and desires without the restraint of  sanctified powers of the mind they rush into unclean practices. These practices degrade them even more, making even their use of their bodies with other people become a source of their corruption. God gives us free will, and does not stop us from following sin. But that does not mean that sin is not damaging us, now is the time to turn from sin to Jesus.

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Those who are following their appetites, passions and desires without restraint quickly realise that the true God condemns their practices, which they know are wrong. So these people formulate systems of belief that replace God but do not condemn their own behaviour. These systems all have in common a false understanding of God's character, they are all connected to Satan's fundamental lie.
These new belief systems always lead to a veneration of created things and service to these things above the God that can only be appropriately worshipped and served. Ancient systems led to the veneration of animals, trees, stars, moon and sun; which were served by supporting priests of their cults. Modern systems venerate animals, trees, the universe, moon and sun; which are served by supporting activists and scientists who would be commendable if they were really protecting or understanding the creation but their dishonouring of the Creator leads to the fruitlessness of their worship and demonstrates the need to prioritise glorifying God. All of us honour the creation over the Creator before our conversion; it is true.
It is God who should be worshipped and served because he is the Creator, those who know him will bless him forever, and never get sick of it, because he is worthy. Do not forget service, the Christian life requires selfless service for Jesus, read about this service in the gospels. Do not forget worship, serving is not enough, we need to spend time in focussed attention on God. Glorify God with your body.

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