Have You Ever Really Looked Up?
"I've never heard of God."
It's a statement you've probably heard before. Maybe someone has said it to you during a witnessing conversation, or perhaps you've seen it written online. But according to Romans chapter 1, this statement reveals something profound about the human heart - and it's not what you might think.
God's Crystal Clear Revelation to Every Person
The Apostle Paul makes a startling declaration in Romans 1:20:
"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."
Notice those powerful words: clearly seen and without excuse. God isn't playing hide and seek with humanity. He's not trying to trick people or make it difficult to know Him. From the very moment He created the world, God has been revealing Himself through His creation.
The Universal Bible Written in the Sky
When someone claims they've never heard of God, we can simply ask: "Have you looked up? Have you looked around lately?"
Creation demands a Creator. It's that simple.
Psalm 19:1-4 confirms this truth: "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world."
Every sunrise, every star, every blade of grass is testifying to God's eternal power and divine nature. The person living on the most remote island without a Bible still has access to this universal revelation. They can look up at the heavens and know there is a God.
The Real Problem: Holding Truth in Unrighteousness
So if God has made Himself so clearly known, why do people still claim ignorance? Romans 1:18 gives us the answer:
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness."
The issue isn't that people don't know - it's that they hold the truth in unrighteousness. They have the truth right in their hands, but they've decided to suppress it, to hold it down in an unrighteous way.
What Is This "Ungodliness and Unrighteousness"?
Romans 1:21 reveals exactly what this looks like: "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful: but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."
The ungodliness and unrighteousness in this context isn't primarily about specific sins (though those certainly follow). It's about knowing God exists through His creation and then refusing to:
Give Him glory
Be thankful to Him
That's it. That simple act of rebellion - seeing God's handiwork and refusing to acknowledge Him as Creator - makes someone ungodly and unrighteous before God.
The Downward Spiral of Rebellion
When people reject God's clear revelation in creation, they don't stay neutral. They begin a downward spiral:
They become vain in their imaginations - creating elaborate theories to explain away God
Their foolish hearts are darkened - their ability to think clearly about spiritual things is compromised
They develop increasingly wicked behaviors - the sins that naturally follow from rejecting God
We see this playing out in our culture today. People would rather take selfies of themselves, seeking likes and approval from others, than look up and give glory to the God who created the very eyes they use to see.
Designed for God's Glory
Think about a microwave for a moment. It's designed with a safety mechanism - it won't run unless the door is closed. Try to run it with the door open, and nothing happens. Put silverware inside, and the whole thing could explode. Why? Because it wasn't designed for those purposes.
Similarly, mankind was designed for a specific purpose: to worship and glorify God. When we try to find meaning and satisfaction apart from that purpose, we're like someone trying to run a microwave with the door open - nothing works the way it should.
Jesus said in John 10:9: "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."
The Blessing of Acknowledging Our Creator
Consider the example of Fanny Crosby, the beloved hymn writer who was blind from infancy. When people would say it was a pity God didn't give her sight, she would respond that if she could have made one petition at birth, it would have been to be born blind - because when she gets to heaven, the first face she'll ever see will be that of her Savior.
At just eight years old, Fanny wrote: "Oh what a happy soul am I, although I cannot see! I am resolved that in this world contented I will be. How many blessings I enjoy that other people don't! To weep and sigh because I'm blind, I cannot and I won't!"
Even without physical sight, Fanny could hear the birds, feel the wind, and sense God's creation all around her. She chose to give God glory rather than become vain in her imaginations.
Don't Put God on Trial
We need to be careful about always putting God on trial, constantly demanding evidence and trying to present a case for His existence to unbelievers. God declares who He is - He doesn't defend Himself.
Look at Genesis chapter 1. You don't see God saying, "Here's why I did what I did, and here's the scientific evidence to prove it." Instead, you see:
"In the beginning God created..."
"And God said..."
"And God made..."
"And God called..."
God declares who He is. Man either accepts God for who He is or dies in unrighteousness and sin.
The Gospel Hope
The good news is that those who have been living in rebellion against their Creator can turn to Him in repentance. Acts 20:21 tells us the message we must preach: "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."
Why repentance toward God? Because they've started with denying who God is, not giving Him glory, and not being thankful for who He is. They need to repent of that fundamental rebellion.
Why faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ? Because He is the door, the way back to the God they've been rejecting.
Look Up and See God's Glory
Before you go to bed tonight, instead of scrolling on your phone for an hour or watching television, step outside. Look up at the stars. Listen to the sounds of God's creation. Remember that the same God who flung those stars into space also sent His Son to die for your sins.
Romans 1:20 reminds us: "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."
Creation is declaring God's glory all around us. The question is: Will we join that chorus of praise, or will we hold the truth in unrighteousness?
🎧✨ Want to hear this powerful message in its entirety? This blog post only scratches the surface of this convicting exposition of Romans 1. I humbly encourage you to listen to the complete sermon to fully grasp the depth of God's revelation through creation and the urgency of the gospel message. Experience this verse-by-verse bible teaching and expository preaching that will challenge your heart and deepen your appreciation for God's clear revelation to mankind. Listen to the full sermon here 🎧✨