Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being. (Rom. 1:22–23)
Expanded Passage: Romans 1:21-23
Sooner or later—whether because of pain, or doubt, or theological crisis—most of us arrive at a point where our image of God starts to break down, and we’re left to confront the gap between the God we thought existed, and the God who actually exists.
In that moment, we begin to confront the fact that we, like Paul’s audience, have exchanged the glory of God for an image of God we’ve made in our own likeness: a God whose convictions, dreams, and plans always seem pleasant, and never requires us to stretch our faith. That image of God is as false as it is comforting: that God can “refill our spiritual tank,” but will never make life more difficult. That God can be given credit for our promotion at work, but seems absent when we receive a diagnosis we would rather have avoided.
That vision of God—the vision that secures prosperity, that helps us avoid trials, and that can be counted upon to deliver us from life’s unpleasantness—is meant to die, because it’s a picture in our own likeness.
The invitation to us is the same implied in Paul’s letter to the church in Rome: trade in that vision of God for a picture of God who, though he doesn’t prevent suffering, accompanies us through it.
Reflect on how your picture of God has been disrupted lately.
Ethan Linder is the discipleship pastor at College Wesleyan Church (IN) and contributing editor for Education and Clergy Development of The Wesleyan Church.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
