Posts by Yong Joo Park:
No Excuse: God Revealed Through Creation
Romans 1:19-20 NLT
19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
Message
I. No Excuse of ‘Not Knowing God’ Accepted
Some could say they didn’t know God existed. But v19a declares they know the truth about God. God has made it obvious to them (19b). They have no excuse for not knowing God (20b). v20a explains the reason. They can know God through His creation! His invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – are clearly seen through everything God made.
The first book of the Holy Bible, Genesis, does not begin by explaining the existence of God, but by declaring His creation. See Genesis 1:1.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
According to the Holy Bible, only fools say in their heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1, 53:1).
II. Action versus Knowing, Saying, and Hearing
The true status of our belief is determined by ‘action’ rather than by our ‘knowing’, ‘saying’ or ‘hearing’.
Let’s say they know the truth (Romans 1:21-22, Titus 1:16), say the truth (Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 15:8-9) or listen to the truth (James 1:22). However, if they fail to ‘act according to the truth’, they will get the bad consequences (reap what they sow) (Galatians 6:7).
Matthew 7:21 NLT and James 2:21-24 NLT teach similar principles.
Matthew 7:21 NLT 21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.
James 2:21-14 NLT 21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.
Next week, let’s continue to study Romans 1:21 NLT “Yes, they knew God, but…”
Suppressing the Truth: God’s Anger and the Power of the Gospel
Romans 1:18 NLT 18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. Message Today’s scripture speaks of God’s anger against all sinful and wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. After God spoke the truth (Genesis 2:15), the serpent lied in opposition to […]
No Shame in the Gospel: It Is the Power of God!
Romans 1:16-17 NLT 16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the […]
Obligated to All: The Gospel for Every Soul
Romans 1:13-15 NLT 13 I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. 14 For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the […]
A Ministry of Presence: Sharing Faith, Gifts, and Lives in Christ
Romans 1:10-12 NLT 10 One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. 11 For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. 12 When we get together, I want to encourage you in your […]
All My Heart: Serving God, Praying Always, Rejoicing in Faith
Romans 1:8–9 (NLT) 8 Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. 9 God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I […]
God’s Plan for All: Unity, Grace, and Peace in Christ
Romans 1:6–7 (NLT) 6 And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and […]
Through Christ: Our Apostolic Privilege, Authority, and Mission to bring Glory to God
Romans 1:5 (NLT) 5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. Message See v5. 5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell […]
Jesus Christ, the Good News God Promised
Romans 1:1-4 (NLT) 1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he […]
Faith Beyond the Page: A Trustworthy Witness and an Infinite Savior
John 21:24–25 (NKJV) The Conclusion of John’s Gospel 24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could […]
