After my gym sessions, I like to listen to some smooth jazz (I can't listen to metal all the time). This gets interrupted every so often by texts or Twitter updates . Last night, one such tweet was from John Piper, as they often are. I typically read them, set my mind on Christ for a minute, and resume the music. If it's a link, I have a bad habit of not reading the material (I'm sorry John). I was compelled this time (read: actually listened to the Spirit) to click on what Pastor John had posted. The link brought me to a meditation he had given in 2007 "about what it means to bank on Christ." If you have 15 minutes of time to listen to it, I strongly recommend you do so. If you don't, I suggest you make the time.
What primarily stuck out to me were Romans 1:20-21, 32. "20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened...32and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them" (NASB).
In the full context of Romans 1:18-32, it is clearly evident that Paul is referring to those who do not believe in God. John Piper takes this one step further, applying it even to those who believe. If you take a moment to carefully examine your heart, you know very well it's an accurate assessment, particularly verse 32. We are constantly ignoring God and approving the actions of this world. You do it, I do it, and I'm willing to wager John Piper does it. And we do it every day.
But first, let's examine our inward selves, "for out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." In verse 21 we read "For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks." We'll make it easy and just think about today. I'll take it for granted that you gave thanks for the food God has given you today. You probably even gave thanks for the air you breathe. But think harder. Did you thank Him for the abnormally short line at Starbucks today? Or, as may be the case, the egregiously long line? Neither did I (I didn't go to Starbucks today, but I digress). Now let me be clear. I am not suggesting that every breath, every bite of food, or every whatever you want is cause for stopping and praying "God, thank you for this blah blah blah." We would never be able to do anything else. But too often we take positive events for granted, and the seemingly negative events affect our hearts too, well, negatively. In each of these situations, God has some kind of plan. That long line at Starbucks may have kept you from having the time to buy that donut you know you shouldn't have. It may not even be for your sake. Maybe the bloke behind you won't be having that donut now. And we both know he doesn't need it. So if you ever remember that you're forgetting God (hello paradox, my old friend), take some time to thank Him for whatever He may be doing that you may not perceive.
Now that we've taken some time to thank God (go on if you haven't, I'll wait), we'll take a look at verse 32. "And although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." Prior to this, Paul gives a lengthy list of what "such things" are (Paul loves lists). At the beginning of verse 29, Paul gives a general criteria for the list, "being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil." It doesn't require very much thought to realize this covers all of sin. If you've noticed, we still commit sin fairly often. And we most assuredly "know the ordinance of God." Thank God He did that whole dying for our sins thing, eh?
Now let's go further. Paul states that not only do we sin, "but also give hearty approval to those who practice them [sins]." Every time we swear with our friends, or laugh at that raunchy joke, we are not only sinning in our own heart, but we are encouraging the sins of others. If the group is full of Christian brothers and sisters, we're adding to a heaping pile of stumbling blocks. If it's a group of unbelievers, we are hiding our light from the world. The very light which Christ calls us to shine. The commission to confess God to the world is put on the back burner. We are confessing the world itself. We are taking on the yoke of an unbelieving world. This is in direct defiance to Christ, who says to "take My yoke upon you." We are burdening ourselves with what the world desires, what the world finds hilarious. We must instead burden ourselves with Christ. We worry ourselves too much with making the Gospel "attractive" that we neglect to display the Gospel at all. There is a medium between "why did the chicken go to church" and "your mom" (unless your mom brought some chicken feed). Between contemporary Christian music (which I can't stand, but I digress) and sacrificing a goat on stage. We must show by our lives, by our actions, by our words, that we do not live by this world; we live in it.
So as we go about our days, we must always strive to focus our minds on Christ. In our heart of hearts, we must have a spirit of thankfulness so we may let our lights shine outward, "that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." May the peace of God be with you.
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