Derek Smith, Lead Pastor LHBC
Romans 1:18-25
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Evolution might be the most damaging lie ever embraced by western culture. If I am an arbitrary accident of an evolutionary process then there was no meaning in my origin. However, if I am the special creation of God, then my life has great meaning and purpose. Consider what evolution does:
It Devalues Life
If in fact life was not created by God, and if human beings are simply the result of random occurrences in the universe, then of what significance is human life? Concern for the individual is replaced with the national policy “do what is best for all,” which becomes a subjective decision of those who hold the most power. Lack of respect for God leads to a lack of justice for people. This is what leads to such terrible actions as abortion and euthanasia.
It Demeans Purpose
Evolution not only strips man of his dignity and his value, but it also eliminates rationality. If everything happens by chance then nothing can possibly have any real purpose or meaning. It’s hard to think of any philosophical starting point that is more irrational than Darwinian Evolution.
It Promotes Destruction
All the philosophical fruits of Darwinism have been destructive to the very fabric of society. Not one of the major twentieth-century revolutions led by post-Darwinian philosophies ever improved society. Instead, the prevailing legacy of Darwinian thought is a full spectrum of evil tyranny. Karl Marx’s communism and Friedrich Nietzsche’s totalitarian fascism which birthed the horrifying dictatorial rule of Mussolini and Adolph Hitler were born out of Darwinian philosophy. The moral catastrophe that has disfigured Western society is also directly traceable to Darwinism and the rejection of the creation account of the book of Genesis.
Oh, you can’t ignore the evidence! Paul writes in this passage that the eternal power and divine nature of God are clearly seen through what has been made. When you gaze at an incredible sunset, stand in awe of the majestic mountains, or take in the beauty of emerald oceanic waters you see the handiwork of the Lord. The earth is His canvas, and we see His signature all over it. Think about the complexity of the human body, the perfect precision of our solar system, and the enormity of our universe and you can’t help but declare like the Psalmist that “the heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” In Ecclesiastes 3 Solomon says the Lord God has put eternity in the heart of every man. As it says here in verse 18 you literally have to suppress the truth within your own soul to say that God is not real. Add to that the preponderance of historical evidence for the life, claims, miracles, death, and resurrection of Jesus and it’s an open and shut case! He is real, Jesus is God, and He died for our sins on the cross and rose again, and whosoever will trust in Christ Jesus will be made right with God! Don’t ignore the evidence!
Child of God, it’s easy to pick on those who don’t believe, but what about you? God speaks to us through His Word, through His Spirit, through other Christians, and even just through creation. Are you listening? We can get so busy with life that we miss the Author of life. I challenge you to be still and know that He is God. I challenge you to go on a nature hike. Get out in creation and just sit still for awhile and listen. Get out of the TV and get in the Word. Put down the laptop and pick up your Bible. Say “no” to a few things and say “yes” to spending some uninterrupted time with God in His world. You’ll be amazed what you will hear the Lord say to you. You can’t ignore Him.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I know you are real, and you claimed to be God. I see the evidence of Your hand everywhere and I trust in You. Help me to be still and listen to Your voice. Teach me to rest in You every day. In Jesus name, amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
PSALM 139:13-14
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.