DO YOU NOT KNOW?

Romans 1 28:32 speaks of a world much like our world today. Paul wrote the Book of Romans while he was a prisoner in Rome, hearing of all reported to him of the goings on about him.  He could only pray and write, unable to leave the house he was kept in, while his friends and guests could come and go.

Read these words that describe our world and Paul's.  "Since they didn't bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose." And more. "They made life hell on earth with their envy, wanton killing, bickering, and cheating." And even more.  "They know perfectly well they're spitting in God's face and they don't care." Sound familiar?

Paul had been delayed over and over, yet wanting so much to get to Rome. After getting there and finding his situation impossible to leave, he wrote letters to the various churches.  And included in those letters is his letter to Rome, a masterpiece of our theology and a blessing to us all.

When Paul used the words "envy, killing, bickering, and cheating" it sounds like the news we see on TV and read in the paper.  Um hmm! Our world! Our world and our selfishness.  Mine, too.  But, thanks to God's son, Jesus Christ, who paid for that selfishness of mine and others who ever lived, we are forgiven.

Yet there are always going to be those that don't know about Jesus' offer of salvation because they haven't heard. They must be told.  And there will always be those who don't give a hoot about being saved from hell.  They will always go about running loose, disclaiming Christ's wonderful name! These are the people raising havoc in our neighborhoods, our schools, our governments, and sometimes in our homes. They will not change without the incredible gift of God, and if there is no change our world may become less and less holy as the years go by.  We need God's help in a big way.

So, my prayer today is this:
 Lord, we will do our part and do our best to pass the word to those who haven't heard. And we will trust that You will deal with those hard core people who love nothing but raising "hell." Deal with them however You must, in order to have them become willing to become your people.  And, Lord, help us to live in this wild world with confidence that You will see us through it, finding peace and joy, in spite of it. We know there is beauty here and we cherish it and thank you for it. AMEN.

I shall not hold my breath waiting, but I will wait with trust and grace. 

Your friend, Jo