Aug.22.03: Light For The Day -"Something Deep Within"

 -- Romans 1:20 (NIVUS)  
"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."

God's judgment [on the day Christ returns] is based upon humanity's response to the message received.  He will never hold us accountable for what He doesn't tell us.  At the same time, He will never let us die without telling us something.  Even those who never heard of Christ are given a message about the character of God.  "The heavens declare the glory of God" (Ps 19:1)....

 Nature is God's first missionary. 
When there is no Bible, there are sparkling stars. 
When there is no preachers, there are springtimes. ...:

"God's law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation.  There is something deep within [people] that echoes God's yes and no, right and wrong.  Their response to God's yes and no will become public knowledge on the day God makes His final decision about every man and woman" (Romans 2:15-16 MSG).

-- Max Lucado

-- Romans 2:11-16 (NIVUS)  
11  For God does not show favoritism.
12  All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.
13  For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.
14  (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law,
15  since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)
16  This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares."

 -- Psalms 19:1-9 (NIVUS)  
"1  The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
2  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
3  There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
4  Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
5  which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6  It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.
7  The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8  The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
9  The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous."