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The Series: To All Who are in Rome; The Article: World's Absolute Worst Bargain (Part 1); The Text: Romans 1.20-25

I admit it; I am horrible when it comes to bartering. If I traded two dimes for a nickel, somehow I would still come out on the short end of the stick! If there is comfort in numbers, however, I can still feel okay about myself since many others share in this malady. The hurt caused by a bad trade when it comes to physical assets can last a lifetime. However, the hurt caused by a bad trade when it comes to spiritual things can last for eternity. Let’s notice how this can be true.

“For since the creation of the world His [God’s] invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” (Romans 1.20-25).

We begin this study by noting what the world’s absolute worst trade was. The persons of which Paul wrote in the paragraph just quoted “…exchanged the truth of God for the lie.” That, dear friend, was and is absolutely the world’s worst trade. The consequences of such a thoughtless deal are so far-reaching that we literally cannot see them all; they span all of time and extend into the unfathomable reaches of eternity. Regardless of how luscious the fruit may look, the pleasure that may come from having it for lunch will not be worth the price that time or eternity will demand. Ask Eve, she will tell you that this is a truthful statement. Consider again the bargain made by the people about whom Paul wrote. Although they may have felt robbed, they bartered away their most precious possession.

When Paul stated that they exchanged the truth of God for the lie, the verb exchanged is in the active voice. This means that the subjects involved did the acting; the result did not come because they were acted upon by some other party. Eve was guilty because she exchanged the truth of God for the lie, not because Satan tempted her. Adam was guilty because he exchanged his leadership role for something far less valuable. Adam’s sin was not because of Eve’s enticement; it was because of his own actions. In similar fashion, the vile persons of whom Paul wrote became vile as a result of their own deeds; they had no one who could legitimately be blamed other than themselves! As Paul had just stated, they were without excuse!

As we proceed in this study, we will notice the significance of the verbs in this great text. They are key to understanding the nature of sin and how it brings ruination to us. Suffice it to say for now that the men of whom Paul wrote were professing themselves to be wise, but they became fools. They might not have made an active choice to become fools, but they did make an active choice to profess themselves to be wise apart from God. That, dear reader, is the world’s worst bargain!

Questions

1. Did the men involved in the text know God (Don’t answer without reading the text; you will miss an important point)?

2. When these men exchanged the truth of God for the lie, who forced them to make that trade? What forced them? Who was to blame for the trade?

3. Going back to a famous saying of a 1960s and 70s comic, did the devil make them do it?

4. Is any man wise apart from God? Why or why not?

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

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