The Light of Resurrection - Pt 2

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. (Romans 1:18-25 ESV).

God created the universe. He created the galaxies and all of their complexity and mystery. He created the gentle breeze that calms us and the roaring winds of the hurricane that terrifies us. He created all things simply to show us who He is and to display his glory and personality. However, people have let themselves be blinded to the truth. Some take all of God’s creation for granted and say it just got there somehow with no need for God. Others worship the things that were created and don’t see God behind it. The Apostle Paul begins his letter to the Romans with this great declaration of the problem man has faced from the beginning of time as Adam and Eve chose to disobey God in favor of their desires. Even though their instructions were very clear and they had the power to resist the temptation presented to them, they did not. Even though they had access to the person of God intimately, even though they walked and talked with Him each day, they chose the path of rebellion in the hope of becoming gods themselves. We know the outcome of that choice well. Every man, woman, and child born since had the stain and effect of their sin transferred to them. All of us became sinners that day in our distant relatives. No one has escaped with righteousness; however, God knew this would happen and prepared a way for us to once again be bathed in the light of his glory and power. Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrected answer all those failures with his success and victory. It is a victory that cannot be snatched away from us. As you extinguish this first candle remember how the darkness began to overtake our world. Remember how vulnerable you have felt in the face of the challenges of your journey. Jesus died so that we would have no need to think in those terms again. Hallelujah!