“18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth.”
Romans 1:18
Paul starts his letter to the church in Romewith a positive thesis. He is not ashamed of the Gospel for it is power and righteousness. Paul, who considers himself a “slave,” finds in relationship to Christ power not from his own natural ability but from relationship with the God of creation. Now he turns to the other side of the coin, wrath.
We think of wrath as anger about something. Paul sets God’s anger against sin. We say, “God loves the sinner but hates the sin.” Paul is talking about “wickedness”, evil, that “suppresses truth.” He is not talking about ignorance of truth. Ignorance is different than choosing to do evil and ignore truth you know. Paul is dealing with evil as a moral problem growing out of a person’s will, not an intellectual problem coming from the brain.
When my kids were learning to drive, they kept an eagle eye over my shoulder watching my speed when I drove. “Mom, you’re speeding.” Not seeing a speed limit sign was a very weak excuse for we had both studied the same rulebook. Suppressing the truth is convincing myself I can still drive when I know I have done too much partying. I deceive myself and endanger my passengers. Going into a big credit card debt for that special thing I just have to have but which I am not sure how I will pay for is a problem. My wants always convince me I can diet tomorrow. God does not like to see us hurting others or ourselves and deceiving ourselves that it’s ok.
Ignorance and deceit are two different things. Perhaps today we need to shine the flashlight of God’s word on our hearts and ask if there is an area where we are deceiving ourselves. Maybe there is someone with whom you have a grudge but actually it is partially your fault and you need to let that person off the hook and practice forgiveness. Sometimes we get angry with God when we have just plain been willful and selfish. During Pentecost, the flashlight of God’s word turns on our hearts. Pentecost means the Holy Spirit is present and helping us be our better selves. Let’s do it!
On the Way to Wonder 