Romans 1:18-25
The Truth We Trade
Scripture: Romans 1:18-25 (ESV) “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 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. 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. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 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.”
The Devotion: In this passage, Paul pulls no punches in describing a core issue humanity faces: our tendency to swap out the truth of God for our own versions of reality. It’s like we’ve been handed the most valuable treasure in the universe—knowledge of the Creator and His eternal power—yet we trade it for trinkets that catch our eye. This isn’t just an ancient problem; it’s a today problem. We see God’s
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handiwork in the stunning complexity of the world, from the vastness of the universe to the intricacies of our DNA, and yet, how often do we give credit where it’s due?
The issue at heart is our refusal to honour God as God. We’d rather be the masters of our little worlds, even if it means ignoring the obvious signs of His majesty and love. This leads to a darkened heart and futile thinking—essentially, we become lost in our own delusions. Paul’s stark warning is that this rebellion has consequences. When we
exchange the truth about God for lies, we end up worshipping the things He created instead of Him. It’s a downgrade of cosmic proportions.
But here’s the good news: Jesus steps into this mess. He doesn’t abandon us to our foolish trades but offers something far better than all the trinkets we have traded for. He offers us Himself—the way, the truth, and the life. In Christ, we find the truth about God restored, and our relationship with the Creator is renewed. Jesus embodies the truth we traded away and invites us back into the reality of God’s love and lordship. All we have to do is recognise this and by faith, trade up. This will take courage in today’s world, especially when almost every truth of scripture is militated against. But God offers us the Truth in Jesus – we just have to accept it by faith. Will you?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times we’ve traded Your truth for our lies, choosing the creation over the Creator. Thank You for Jesus, who reveals Your truth and love to us in full. Help us to honour You as God, to live in gratitude for Your creation, and to worship You alone. Realign our hearts and minds with Your truth, and empower us to live in the light of Your love. Amen.
Challenge for the Day: Today, take a moment to reflect on the natural world around you—whether it’s a sunrise, a tree, or a pet. Let this reflection lead you to worship the Creator, not just appreciate the creation. Consider how you might be trading God’s truth for your own ideas or desires, and ask God to help you honour Him rightly in your heart and actions.