There is a downward spiral in unbelief.
Paul describes it vividly. God made himself known to everyone through creation. In response, people suppress the truth and refuse to honor him. Their thinking is futile. Their foolish hearts grow darkened.
To add insult to injury, they exchange the glory of the immortal God to make idols of mere men and animals. By doing this, they become fools. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie (1:25). This is why God is angry (1:18).
But the spiral continues. God answers their foolishness in the remaining verses of chapter one. He gives them up to impurity (1:24), dishonorable passions (1:26), a debased mind (1:28). They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness (1:29).
But God.
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). He died for them too. They need to hear this.
This week, let’s pray:
Lord, the people of the world continue to spiral away from you. But yet, you loved them enough to send Christ. Help me to love people the way you love them.