"Because what may be known of God is manifest in them,
for God has shown it to them."
Romans 1:19
A minister asked a scientist if he believed in God. The man responded by saying, "I have no reason to believe in God. I can't see Him. In science we deal with real life, not wishful thinking." The minister said, "Do you love your wife?" The man quickly replied, "Sure I do. What does that have to do with it?" Then, the minister said, "Well, you believe in love and you can't see it. The Bible says God is love."
The scientist had no rebuttal for those words. The minister went on to tell him that God loved him, and sent His Son Jesus into the world to prove His love for us at the cross and through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5, 8).
In Romans 1:19, the apostle Paul states that God has revealed Himself to all people. Theologians often call this "common grace." That simply means grace common to all mankind. In the Roman letter, Paul mentions several ways that God shows this common grace. It is seen in the created order, as well as in conscience. People have an awareness of sin through conscience, and the awareness of God our Creator through the natural world. Common grace alone cannot save. However, it does witness to God's power and our sinfulness.
God reveals Himself to us through the good news of Christ. The death of Christ for our sins and the resurrection of Christ for our justification is the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4). In Christ, God reveals His grace and mercy, most of all His love for sinners. The Holy Spirit reveals the good news of Christ to our hearts, that we may receive God's love by faith in Jesus Christ.
God, we praise You for revealing Yourself to us through Christ.
