The Way Up

“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.” - Romans 1:28

When we read Romans 1:28-31, which was written 2,000 years ago, it sounds a lot like what we read in the newspaper every day: Depraved minds, wickedness, evil, greed, murder, strife, deceit, malice, God-haters, slanderers, arrogant, boastful, disobedient to parents, and having no fidelity, love or mercy. Yep…that about covers the top stories doesn’t it?

When we reject our vertical relationship with God, our horizontal relationships with others will be distorted and damaged beyond human repair. To put it another way, when divine standards disappear society disintegrates…there is a breakdown in culture and human relationships. We are living in this reality. The Apostle Paul describes in Romans 1:32 a society that has reached rock bottom. See if his words sound familiar: “Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” It is bad enough to sin against God…to acknowledge and accept wrongdoing. But the rock bottom is when we begin to applaud wrongdoing. This, my friend, is where we find ourselves today.

Because of Jesus Christ, though, there is always Good News. He came to die for our sins and forgive us. Christ came to take our guilt and give us His grace. He takes our sin and to give us His salvation. There is hope for our world because there is hope for each one of us. His name is Jesus. Do you know Him? Have you trusted Him? He is the only way up from rock bottom.

Father, Thank You that in Jesus there is hope for me. Thank you that you gave us a way to abundant life, and that we don't have to settle for what the world has to offer. Help me to pursue your will and your path with everything in me. In Jesus’ name, amen.