19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For 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 people are without excuse.
21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts (Romans 1:19-26)
Thoughts: Revelation helps us with a moral restraint. This has been proven true in many ways- statistically, socially, psychologically. When you believe that there is a God holding you accountable and telling you right from wrong (including stealing, murder, lying, adultery), and who sees and cares about our actions- then we are more likely to show restraint. If you believed a policeman was in the room with you, would it not be a source for a deterrent? Revelation, not only deters us with that image, but convicts our conscience about what is right or wrong. So Proverbs says where there is no revelation the people cast off restraint. So Romans indicates when we dilute or pollute the knowledge of God we not only make God in our own image, but tends to immorality.
Prayer: Help me to hear your voice behind me saying, "This is the way walk in it." Help me to stay on the straight and narrow path- the path of purpose and hope that leads to the abundant life here and life everlasting.
Extras: De Toqueville, the sociologist said that America is great because America is good. He went on in his writings to relate how religion played a key role in that goodness.
Statistically- those who believe strongly are more likely to keep their marriages, to give more to charity, to volunteer more time for others than those who do not believe strongly.
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