Without Excuse

When one observes the red, orange, and yellow colors from a hilltop of the once unanimous green trees, there remains little doubt that fall has arrived. They also understand those same leaves will fall to the ground in due time before the tree sprouts new leaves and turns to green blanket again. There is little question that dark clouds bring rain, rain returns to the ocean, and from the ocean back to the sky. These processes being ordained of God, among many others, often get overlooked and explained as biological normals instead of the touch of the Lord's hand. Anybody who has smelt the salt laden air coming off the Atlantic, gazed across a red canyon wall in the Southwest, or admired a feature here on earth has been presented the truth. Romans 1:20 says, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” The truth has been presented. Pontius Pilate asked, “What is truth?” The Lord's truth has been made evident to every person who has beheld this world (the things that are made). The scriptures says that “when they knew God they glorified him not as God...” Romans 1:21.

The truth has been presented in the creative power of God. The flight of a bird, the formation of a tornado, or just the glow of a firefly on a July night are all evidence of Him. But beyond that, the things that are seen everyday, the truth has been presented through the ministry of the Lord Jesus and the manifestation of him in the believer. In John 18:37 Jesus says, “...thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” II Cor. 4: 1-5 describes the responsibility of the believer to spread the truth. “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.” John 1:9-10. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handy work.” Psalm 19:1. The glory of God is seen in the stars and the rolling of the clouds. Unfortunately our view of the Lord's wonderful works have been shrouded by explanation.

The truth has been rejected. John 1: 10-11 says that the world knew him not. No longer does just the beauty of the mountaintop cause us to thank God, but the deliverance of a sickness or financial help is what we need to follow and believe. Once the truth is presented it is up to the person to accept. Romans 1:20 explains that the truth is present like the moon in the sky but the truth has been contorted by evolutionary thinking. “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever, Amen.” Roman 1:25. “And with all decievableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” II Thess. 2:10 describes this rejection. Like the parent advises the reluctant child on life lessons, the truth of God will be apparent in due time.

The truth will be revealed. Don't wait, there may come a time when it is too late. The Scriptures indicate that there may be a time that a person cannot be even if their desire is to. II Thess. 2:11-12. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” Romans 1:18. In order to hold something you have to have it in your possession. The rich man was aware of the truth. Luke 16:19. Every word of the Bible is absolute truth. here will be a time when everybody acknowledges the truth. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of the things in heaven, and the things in earth, and the things under earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10 – 11. “All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee, they shall sing to thy name. Selah.” Psalm 66:4. Now is the time to accept Jesus. Jesus came into this world which had already rejected the truth and gave his life to bear witness to the truth. The luster of the world is being explained by human reasoning that makes perfect sense now but will fail later. The word of the Lord is tried and true. When death tears across the horizon with a dark cloud or when a car without control is speeding towards you there is a name that even the denier subconsciously calls. Jesus Christ the Truth. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20. Without excuse.

Josh Upham