Paul begins with some pleasantries, introducing himself and talking about how he wishes he could come and join them. He wants to come and see them so that he can preach the gospel to them! He says he isn't ashamed of the gospel because it has the power to save everyone, whether they are Jewish or not. This was a big debate in that time, the Jewish people were still not really wanting to be inclusive of Gentiles (non-Jews). Paul says that through faith I Christ, anyone can have a relationship with God, no matter what their family tree looks like.
He then goes on to say that no one has an excuse for not believing in God. Even if they haven't heard about God directly, they have seen all the things He has made. In spite of that, most of the world doesn't believe, and so God gave them over to their sinful desires. People chose to worship idols rather than the true God, and so He just let them. This has lead to all kinds of problems as we can see. However it tells us something about God: He won't make you love or worship Him. It is a choice that you have been given and only you can make. God wants everyone to love Him, but if we don't get a choice in the matter, then it can't be love.
The question I have to ask myself is this: What am I substituting for God? What things in my life am I worshiping instead of Him? It might be the iPad that I'm typing this on, it might be the tv, it might be my son or my wife! At least in my life it isn't a statue that I bow down to worship, but it can be reply easy to substitute time with God with a bunch of other things that just seem more pressing at the time.
In 2013 it is my goal to worship and serve the Creator rather than the created things. Pray for me.
Enjoy the Journey,
Elliott
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