Take a Closer Look – Roman Road 5

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

Those who have read Romans—likely all Christians at one time or another—have been presented with this verse and yet it often gets little attention. That evidence for God is plain and apparent to all of humanity leaving them without excuse kind of changes our thinking about speaking about the gospel, doesn’t it?

So many times we back away from interactions with our non-believing friends and family because we are convinced that our apologetic is weak. Fear bristles within us that we might be handed a question for which we don’t have the answer. We’ll look foolish and our opportunity will be lost forever. It almost looks like we believe that the success of the gospel lies squarely on our shoulders.

Read the verse again. God has already laid the foundation for our efforts. God, whose word does not return empty (Isa 55:11) and whose word is living and active (Heb 4:12), has made Himself known to those who bother to look. A friend willing to listen to you tell of the hope you have is already spiritually aware, God has already laid the groundwork for you (and me).

Rereading and thinking about this is both encouraging and humbling. Why would I think otherwise? God has given the foundation, the Word, the methods; everything! God has instructed me to depend on Him alone in everything, why in the world would I think that sharing his precious truth with a person that He loves would be the one action that stands separate from Him? Moment of repentance inserted here.