For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 

    Romans 1:21

Open rebellion on the part of the world is something that we see in the lives of many today. What we need to make sure is that we do not fall into that category. As born again believers in Jesus, we are to be separate (spiritually speaking) and not taking part in the futility of living apart from Christ. Today’s verse is a continuation of the passage that we looked at last time. Notice that it is referring to those who know God. “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks,” This is not talking about Christians, those who have been transformed, saved, and brought into the kingdom of God rather this is a direct reference to the lost and dying world. But we cannot overlook what it says about them…”even though they knew God.” Did you catch that? These unbelieving people “know God.” In other words, they know that He exists. The atheistic approach to life is a disingenuous one in that, even in atheism, there has to be an acknowledgment of the possibility of God, which is actually a description of agnosticism. But along with these atheistic and agnostic musings is the very destructive philosophy of secularism. The birth of this idea should come as no surprise for it is the natural outcome of a world that denies the very existence of God or, at the very least, denies the need for salvation and a complete overhaul of our hearts and minds. 

So, secularism promotes living for the “here and now.” It emphasizes living for oneself. It carries with it the notion of idolatry…the replacing of Christ’s rightful place in our lives with just about anything else. This is why our passage today says, “though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks.” Those who practice secularism know exactly what they are doing. This passage makes that abundantly clear. They know that God exists, they even know the power that the Word of God (the Bible) and the name of Jesus carry with it. Two examples: the Bible is the only book that will bring about two very opposite reactions. People will either turn to it, feed on it, and rely on it for daily guidance in living (a good indication that a person is saved) or they will avoid it at all costs. Likewise, the name of Jesus holds tremendous power in exposing and defeating the spiritual darkness in our world. That is why His name is often abused in film and other forms of entertainment. Look and listen for the abuse of any other name associated with a religious or world philosophy and you simply will not hear it. Only the Bible and the name of Jesus are treated as such because they both bring the power to overcome a spiritually dark world. These two things are simply something that people living in darkness do not want to deal with or even acknowledge (John 3:19, Philippians 2:9-11, Hebrews 4:12). That is why it says, “though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks.” This is an accurate description of the world in general. Notice two appropriate attitudes and actions that should be in our lives that are tragically missing from the lives of these people. 

First, is the idea of “honoring God.” Honoring someone is when we show them respect, admiration, and appreciation. How often, in our fallen world, do people not deserving of such honor receive just that while those who are legitimately doing important work get overlooked. It’s interesting when we examine just how fallen mankind decides who is worthy and who is not. But when it comes to God, the people being described in this verse do not honor God. Some quietly refuse while others blatantly and loudly express their displeasure with such thoughts. Either way, the honor that is due to God is absent from the lives of these people. 

Secondly, is the idea of “giving thanks to God.” Being truly thankful to God is something that is reserved for those who realize that they deserve nothing yet God has given them everything, including eternal life, through Christ. The opposite is the notion that someone or, perhaps, everyone owes us something. We can often observe these people acting out because their hearts are not filled with gratitude and thanksgiving rather they are fueled by hatred, rooted in bitterness and blame for their current situation. Grateful people don’t blame others for they know that they are deserving of nothing. This grateful attitude is evidence that a person has truly been transformed or is, a least, open to that possibility. When we properly view ourselves in light of who God is and respond appropriately, we can express gratitude and thankfulness to a loving God. The people described in this verse are lacking in this “giving thanks to God.” 

But perhaps it is the last portion of this verse that reveals just exactly what is going on, spiritually, in these people’s lives. “But they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” There are two important aspects to human living at play here. One is the mind and the other is the heart. Of course, the heart doesn’t refer to the blood pumping organ in the center of our chests rather it is the “seat of our affections.” The “real” us is what is in the heart. But first, let’s take a look at the mind.

“They became futile in their speculations.” Remember the “who” in this passage. It is those who knew God but refused to acknowledge Him, honor Him, or give Him thanks. It’s a description of the lost and dying world and is the epitome of a rebellious heart. They have become futile in their speculations. “Speculation” deals with the idea of theories and conjectures. And how are the thoughts, theories, and conjectures of these people described? We can sum it up in one word: futility. “They became futile in their speculations.” “Futility” can be defined as pointless or useless. When we refuse to honor God, thank God, or even acknowledge God, our lives become futile. We can point to all of the earthly accomplishments that we desire but a life apart from Christ is a life that has missed the entire point of human existence. This is why we can observe so many frustrated people in this world…even those who seem to “have everything.” It’s because their theories, conjectures, speculations, and thoughts have become futile because they are not rooted in Christ. 

In addition to the futility of their thinking is the spiritual reality that “their foolish heart was darkened.” God will absolutely allow our hearts to get hard, darkened, and rebellious. God will not force Himself on anyone. He will honor our decision to run to Him or reject Him. What we cannot do is deny the very consequences of such decisions. Unbeliever’s hearts have been darkened. We can observe this when sharing the gospel with people. Some people that we encounter are quite open to our sharing with them the very words of life and even if they do not make a decision for Christ that day, will still thank us for the time. Others, however, will grow irritated, angry, and perhaps even get verbally abusive when the gospel is brought near to their ears. These hearts are so hardened that they “refuse” to hear. This is truly tragic. But we must remember that the activity of the devil is at work here. Consider Jesus’ words as He explains the parable of the sower:

“Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved.” 

  Luke 8:12

That is the devil’s strategy…to take away the word of the gospel so that people will die in their sin and not be saved. Notice that, in the parable, these people have heard the gospel but have not responded to it. Not everyone who hears the gospel of Jesus Christ is saved. That hearing must be united with faith (Hebrews 4:1-2). But this is the strategy of the enemy…keep us distracted (how many ways is that accomplished today?), keep us believing that we are fine because we are comfortable and have been successful in this life, and keep us from getting into the Word of God because it has the power to bring us face to face with the truth and bring salvation into our lives. Let’s also consider the words of Paul:

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 

      2 Corinthians 4:3-4

The “god of this world” is the devil and he will do anything to “veil” the gospel from the minds and hearts of the unbelieving. Again, see the desired outcome of the enemy of our souls…”so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” So that we will not see and be saved…this is his strategy. And with the knowledge of God already established in our hearts, there truly is no excuse for us to reject such a great salvation. Yet we observe the masses doing just that. Tragic.

Are we honoring God with our lives? Are we giving thanks to God everyday? Or is our mind full of futile speculations? Have our hearts been darkened? Accurately determining our spiritual status is vital if we are to live in the victory of Christ! 

This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 

    Lamentations 3:21-23