Help those who are deceived
They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. Romans 1:25
Yesterday I talked about how much I adore God’s creation and how I admire the landscapes He puts before me. It today’s key verse, we see that God talks about people who actually worship His created things, but refuse to acknowledge the One who created them. It is hard for me to imagine that this actually happens as I was introduced to my Heavenly Father at a very young age. In fact, He has always been so real in my life. However, there are so many people that have been deceived and refuse to accept that there is an eternal God out there who loves them.
I think about the stars in the sky and how I so much enjoy the times I am able to just sit out under them and watch their beauty. Many times I have set an alarm to get up with my children in the middle of the night to watch an event in the sky. Whether a meteor shower, lunar eclipse or even a passing comet. I know God put these things out there for us to observe and learn of His greatness. When I think about those who actually worship the stars or the sun/moon, it breaks my heart that people with such passion are so far from the truth.
In today’s reading, Paul says that the worship of created things leads into more sinful behavior. Immorality and even encouraging others to worship wrongly. This is a very serious place to be and one without much hope. The passage says that God abandons them and the shameful decisions they make in life.
Our part as believers is not to get caught up in such foolishness and deception, but we can pray for those who have been deceived to be drawn back to God by His Holy Spirit. When we pray for those so far away, it opens the door for Him to reach in and turn their heart in a different direction. Pray for their eyes to be open to the truth of God’s love and then show them what God’s love looks like. That doesn’t mean you condone their behavior, it just means you love them even though they are a sinner just like God does. Just because it says God abandons them does not mean that He stops loving them. It is just that they have closed the door to Him and have decided not to include Him in their life. On the day they reopen that door, they will find Him right there waiting to come in and bring them back within His arms of love and protection.
Today I want to encourage you once again to appreciate the beauty and wonder of God’s created works, but then praise and worship Him for His power and majesty. In the event that you come into contact with those who have been so deceived, don’t condemn and judge them, recognize that they are lost and blind. Treat them like you would if you found someone out in the wilderness wondering around because they cannot see and do not know where they are going. Gain their trust and gently lead them back to safety or in this case back to their loving Savior.
Today’s scripture reading: Romans 1:24-32
The Daily Dose 