When I was growing up most adults whom I knew smoked cigarettes. Though doctors frowned at the habit, most people ignored them. Then, as evidence grew, the government stepped in and took action. They did not, of course, prohibit smoking but required manufacturers to put a warning on the side of cigarette packages regarding the potential health hazard of smoking.
Medical professionals believed it was their duty to speak the truth and educate the public to the potential dangers of smoking. Cancer victims appeared on TV to demonstrate what can happen to those who ignore warnings and continue the habit of smoking.
St. Paul in writing to the Roman Christians warned about the hazardous consequences of turning one’s back on God (Romans 1:16-25). It was not a matter of pushing his morals on people, as it was in doing all he could to promote their salvation.
“The wrath of God is indeed being revealed from heaven against every impiety and wickedness of those who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what can be known about God is evident to them, because God made it evident to them.”
Paul did not present God as an angry parent with a whip in his hand, but as a loving authority who allows the wicked to experience the consequences of their sins—just the way a government acts as a loving authority in warning people of the consequences of poor health habits.
He went on to talk about the beauty of creation and how it reflects the goodness and glory of God. Even our natural selves are awed by the works of God and moved to give him glory and thanks.
“Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds darkened. While claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for the likeness of an image of mortal man or of birds or of four-legged animals or of snakes.”
Our rational minds can concoct our own versions of truth, and can even justify giving objects of our own creation the honor that is due God alone. And we have been so swallowed up in “relativism” that we honor falsehood as an innocent, legitimate right of a human being—without issuing a warning that it carries within it the seeds of destruction.
“Therefore, God handed them over to impurity through the lusts of their hearts for the mutual degradation of their bodies. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator.”
Are we not living in an age of idolatry, in which the ideas and products of human beings are given the respect and attention due to God alone? Are we not seeing the wrath of God revealed in the consequences of “the mutual degradation of their bodies?” A lead news article in our local paper reported the alarming rise in mental health problems among students in our local colleges. When God’s truth is factored out of the picture, his wrath, by virtue of the order of creation, is factored in.
In this context Paul preached the ultimate truth and solution to human life.
“I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”
There is truth. There is access to the healing, restoring power of God. There is salvation for those who accept it. We all join Paul in proclaiming this message.
“The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
