“Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips . . .” (Romans 1:28-29)
Paul finishes his description of the cultural downward spiral away from God by listing the ultimate result – a society in absolute, sin-fueled chaos. Everyone does evil. Everyone hurts everyone else. And everyone is fine with that (until they get hurt).
Did you notice his summary of the first step: “they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God.” It doesn’t always start with a fist-shaking defiance against the Almighty. For many, it’s more like, “Eh, what’s the big deal? Maybe there’s a God; maybe there’s not. If there is, what does it really matter?”
We might recognize our culture in some of Paul’s description, but we’re far from rock bottom. Those of us who have committed to “knowing God” through Jesus still have an influence here. We can still proclaim with our lives and Christlike love that knowing God – the true Creator God of the Bible – matters most of all.
Think: What can Christians do to influence our culture to take God seriously and treat him with respect?
Pray: Ask God to allow your friends and family to see Christ in you every day as evidence that he is real and active and worth knowing.
Do: Copy from verses 28-32 Paul’s list of the kinds of things a society embraces when it reaches rock bottom.