Self-Evident Truth

Daily Reading: Romans 2

Scripture Focus: For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them. (Romans 2.14-15)

Devotional Thought: "We hold these truths to be self-evident..." What makes a truth self-evident? Is it the fact that it is accepted by a majority of the population? Not necessarily. Sometimes a lot of people can be wrong! Is it because you can't imagine life without it? I wouldn't say so. History is a long line of indispensible things now discarded for other things.

A truth is self-evident when it is "written on the heart" by the Spirit of God.

Paul, a staunch Jew as a young man, was steeped in the Law of Moses. He knew the righteous requirements of the Law. He also 'knew' that the Gentiles - who did not have the Law - were hopeless. But, something happened to Paul. Jesus appeared to him and showed him that God did indeed love the Gentiles, and there were a good many who fulfilled the Law without knowing the Law. How did they know what to do? The only answer was that God had written it on their hearts.

I love the story of the Ten Commandments - how God, with his own finger, inscribed the Law on the tablets of stone. The truth of the matter is that God is still doing that today! He writes on the hearts of people so that their "conscience bears witness" and their "conflicting thoughts accuse" them. Of course, that truth can be stifled and ignored, it can be buried beneath hatred and prejudice and greed. But, it is still there. Why? Because it is truth, and truth never changes.

Pray that God would reveal his Truth to more and more people and that there would be a revival in the land!

Prayer: Father, thank you for the convicting presence of the Holy Spirit, who writes the Truth on our hearts. Help us to follow and obey you. May others know the truth that would set them free in Jesus as well! Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 18.19-24

19 He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

20 The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me. 23 I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from my guilt. 24 So the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.