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NOT A FOOLISH HEART (II)
FRIDAY, JUNE 18
Romans 1:18-23

Romans 3:21-26

 

“Professing themselves to be wise,

they became fools…”

 

NOT A FOOLISH HEART (II)
 
The Apostle Paul goes on to describe the behaviour that accompanies such a foolish heart. In the first place, mankind is guilty of ingratitude ‒ in our failure to acknowledge God, we have failed to thank Him for all His blessings (“neither were thankful,” Rom 1:21). God has made “his sun to rise on the evil and on the good,” and sent “rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt 5:45); also “he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17). Yet man, enjoying all these blessings, returns not a word of thanks to his benefactor.
 
In the second place, mankind is guilty of idolatry. Having removed in their minds the Creator from His rightful position, we have exalted the creature in His place ‒ we have “changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things” (Rom 1:23). We have forsaken God’s way, and “sought out many inventions” (Eccles 7:29). The only solution to all this, for the unbelieving, is repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Rom 3:21-26).
 
But, Christian reader, let us not think that we are exempt from these wicked tendencies! It is well for us to examine ourselves, even we who name the name of Christ: are we truly grateful to God, as we ought to be? Do we praise Him for His grace and great salvation? Do we render unto Him our thanksgivings, “the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Heb 13:15)? Do we take for granted the daily blessings we receive? If He “sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust,” ought not the just to thank Him, even if the unjust do not?
 
Then also, are we guilty of idolatry? Has something other than God taken His rightful place in our hearts? Has some philosophy been guiding us, other than His Word; some ambition, other than His glory? “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Eccles 12:13-14).
 
THOUGHT: I need a fearing heart, not a foolish heart.

PRAYER: Preserve me from the sin of ingratitude, and from idolatry!

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