Day 10: Faith over Knowledge

Read: Romans 2:12-16

It was the prettiest sight I had ever seen. Utterly extravagant and breathtaking; it was impossible not to stop and stare. The sunset that evening was mesmerizing. It has been three years and I can still picture the swirl of bright, bold colors as clear as when I stood there. I was in a field of wildflowers with a warm summer breeze playing with my hair – captivated by the sky. It felt unreal. It was seemingly a perfect moment.

During the season of doubt that I was facing, I finally had certainty. He was real. God had revealed Himself to me through this sunset. There are numerous reasons for my personal faith in God, and yet, I remember this one particular instance where I knew there had to be a Creator.

God revealed Himself in the Bible, and He also reveals Himself in His creation. God has created order and design to this world. This is even shown in humanity’s innate sense that there is such a thing as right and wrong.

In Romans 2:12-16, Paul warns that God will judge people by what they know. It doesn’t matter if you have never read the Bible, or if you haven’t heard of Jesus. You will be held accountable because each person has a conscience. Verse 15 says, “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.” Everyone has an inherent knowledge of goodness and morals. God will judge everyone who rebels against what they know to be good.

It is not knowledge of the truth alone that God desires but obedience to it. We are called to humble ourselves and follow Him and His teachings. In the time that Jesus was alive, there was a group of religious leaders called Pharisees. These people knew the law. They memorized it. They knew it by heart. But, they didn’t live it out. They missed the point. They judged others for not living by the law, yet they showed no kindness or love. Jesus is the only one who has ever fulfilled the law. Nobody is able to obey the law because of our sinful nature.

Knowing His laws and then not obeying the laws has no purpose. God doesn’t crave for us to have knowledge if there is no action accompanying it. Knowledge takes no faith. Trusting God and obeying His desires are where faith is shown. God provides evidence of his existence in nature. He presents Himself to mankind and therefore will judge each person for what they know, yet refuse to follow.  

Take a moment and look at the nature around you, where do you see God’s work? His creation reveals that He creates with a purpose. There is a purpose for the Bible, to teach, comfort, and shape us. Are you striving to obey what God has taught in the Bible and utilize the purpose for its creation?