Suppress
But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. Romans 2:5, ESV
While reading the first chapter of Romans, my spirit landed on this scripture: The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what maybe now about God is plain to them because God has made it plan to them. Romans 1:18, NIV
This verse just kept lingering in my heart. As I tried to gather more understanding, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “God has made plain to us the truth”. Paul was writing to the church in Rome and his words are true for us today. Even if we have not accepted Jesus Christ as our personal savior, we know right from wrong. God has made plain His truth in our hearts.
Scripture says we suppress the truth so that we can do what we want. I am reminded of my youth when I would make a decision to do something that I knew was wrong because I wanted to do whatever was before me. There was always this voice in my head that said you should not do this because it is wrong, but I would reason those thoughts away so I could do what I wanted. I remember that I would even do an analysis in my head to see whether my parents would find out. If I could avoid them knowing, then I would go for it.
This is exactly what the scripture is speaking to above. We know the truth. It has been set in our hearts, but we suppress it because of our sinful desires. Paul warns that God's wrath is being revealed from heaven against all godlessness and wickedness because the truth has been made plan to us. We cannot say that we did not know our behaviors were wrong or that we were not living according to the righteousness of Christ. Jesus Christ died so that we can have eternal life and have the ability to live a righteous life. As we follow the truths in our heart, they lead us to the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Punishment is coming for all sinful behavior. We may sometimes get away with doing things that are not right because we have outsmarted the authority over us. But know that God sees it all. It may look like everyone is getting away with evil but God’s wrath is sitting on all men who do not repent. But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. Romans 2:5, ESV
It can sometimes be very hard to see people get away with doing wrong, but God sees all the wickedness and He will punish everyone for their sin. We are called to repent for our unrighteousness and pray for those who are in sin so they will turn and come into the righteousness of God.
Father,
We thank you that truth has been placed in our hearts. We ask for forgiveness for the times we did not obey this truth. We intercede for those who have chosen the wicked path. As your word teaches, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven,” (Matthew 5:43-45, NIV) so we pray for their salvation in Jesus name, Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss