Futile Thinking

Romans 1:21-22

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools…”

I am pretty sure you personally know well at least one person who grew up knowing God and trying to structure their lives on His principles. Then, somewhere in their journey towards God and Heaven, they made a U-turn and went their own way. Maybe that person is you? Certainly it was me. See Isaiah 53:6.

So many people fall in the category Paul was describing in today’s passage. When I went to college, I turned away from God and set out on my own figuring I could run my own life. I stopped recognizing the many blessings and talents I had as having come from Him, and began taking credit for everything myself.

As we pursue our own ways, we journey further into sin and our own hearts are darkened. The Light of God we once knew grows dimmer and dimmer, reduced to only a flicker of what it once was. Pride and worldly knowledge take the place of Biblical wisdom we once knew and applied to our lives; and, although we considered ourselves wise in the ways of the world, we became fools.

Often it takes a series of failures, leading to a very dark place, for us to finally wake up to the everlasting Goodness and unconditional Love of our Father in Heaven. For me, the Light finally penetrated the darkness of my heart on a prison bunk.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Ask the Father to send the Light of Jesus into your heart in ever-increasing measure by His Holy Spirit.

Dive Deeper: Study Romans 1; Isaiah 53:6.