A Romans 1 World Pt. 19 Dark Hearts & Covenant Breaking

Romans 1:30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32)  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. 

Without Understanding. The phrase "without understanding" means not having insight into a matter or unintelligent due to internal wickedness. It can also mean someone who is foolish and Paul used this same word in Romans 1:21 where it is translated "their foolish heart was darkened." That text tells us about the foolishness of all who deny the clear evidence from creation that testifies to God as Creator and Sustainer of all life. 

Matthew 15:15-17  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. 16)  And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 17) Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 

The Lord Jesus Christ used this same word when His disciples asked Him a question about truth He taught that was plain and understandable. Here it is translated "without understanding."   Christ gave them good truth and clear teaching but they failed to comprehend His sayings. Their hearts were darkened to spiritual realities which is why they needed to wait for the coming of God's Spirit to regenerate their hearts (Acts 1:8). 

Covenant breakers. The Greek word translated "covenant breakers" is closely related to the word translated "without understanding." It means someone who is faithless or treacherous. It is the idea that this person has entered into an agreement with another person, very much like a legal contract, and he consistently fails to abide by the terms of the contract that he agreed to.   

The best way to consider this word is to think about how a New Testament believer is described. 

2 Corinthians 5:20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 

New Testament believers are described as Christ's ambassadors. 

Living as pilgrims in this world.

Hebrews 11:10  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Hebrews 11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Hebrews 11:16  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.  

An ambassador from America lives in a foreign nation, just as believers live as strangers and pilgrims on earth. The world is no longer our home but we are just passing through, living life for the glory and honor of God, seeking to tell others about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As Christ's ambassadors we are waiting for our home in a better country to live in that city that God is building.

Living in this world as citizens of heaven.

Philippians 3:20-21  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21) Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. 

An ambassador must be an American citizen just as believers must be citizens of heaven. The word translated conversation" is the Greek word "politeuma" which refers to administering civil affairs, constitution, form of government and laws and being a citizen.  You can see that the words "polite" and "politics" are from this particular word.

Philippians  2:12-15  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13) For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14)  Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15) That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 

An ambassador from America should have integrity, be a man of his word and have good moral character, just as a born again believer should have good moral character and integrity. God began a good work in us at the moment of our salvation and He will continue this work until He calls us home. Old things passed away and all things became new when God's Spirit regenerated us. We must desire to live new life in Christ because of being a new creation in Christ. 

Living in selfless service to Christ Jesus. 

Galatians 2:19-20  For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 

An ambassador must be selfless by putting aside his own agenda and pursuing the agenda of his elected leaders. His allegiance is to America. Likewise, believers must die to self centered living, mortifying the members of our flesh and picking up our cross to follow Christ. Our allegiance must be to our Lord and Savior. 

Living in communication with Christ.

Matthew 6:6  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18  Pray without ceasing. 18) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 

An ambassador lives in constant communication with his homeland. He speaks to his superiors in order to understand and apply policies and directives accurately in the foreign nation where he serves. Likewise, the Christian should live in constant communication with the Lord Jesus Christ. God speaks to us through His Word and we communicate to Him through our prayers. 

Jesus taught us much about prayer that we cannot dig into this post. However, He gave us a good reminder to pray to our Father in heaven in private communication with His throne, seeking His direction and will for our lives. Paul gave us an urgent command to pray without ceasing because there are so many needs, distractions, pressures and crises in every day life. Praying without ceasing is the idea of praying whenever we can at every moment, because this is God's will for us. 

Living in loyalty to Christ. 

1 Corinthians 4:1-2  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2) Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Revelation 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 

John 15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

An ambassador must remain loyal to his country and never seek to put his own interests or ambitions ahead of his nation's. He must obey the laws of his nation while he lives in a foreign country. Likewise, the believer must remain loyal or faithfulness to Jesus Christ. We must keep His commandments if we are going to loyally serve our Master and king. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Born again Christians are to seek understanding  and wisdom from God. He has given us His Word and there is no excuse for us to be ignorant or lacking understanding. If we truly do not comprehend or understand the things of God at all then perhaps we need to examine our own heart. 

Have we been regenerated by God's Spirit? Do we know the joy of old things passing away and new life begun in Christ? Or are we claiming to be born again with no fruit, no evidence of spiritual life in us? 

New life in Christ means living as His ambassadors in this present evil world. We are pilgrims and citizens of heaven. We seek to live in serving Christ always and staying in constant communication with God through prayer and reading His Word. We strive to be loyal followers of Christ. This is the path of being salt and light that the world needs to see. 

God's Spirit will help us and strengthen us as we walk through our earthly pilgrimage. May we be counted faithful servants of Christ and live humble lives of submission to His will and obedience to His commands.

Bob