Romans 1:21-25 - Daily Devotion - 5 June 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Monica Ly

This passage provides insight into how our thoughts shape our actions and affect the way we live. In yesterday’s passage Paul wrote about the godless Gentiles, and said that they certainly knew of God—essentially through the things He had made. They failed, however, to glorify or give thanks to Him, and their thinking became futile, ultimately leading them into idolatrous worship.

In contrast, we know God through Jesus. Jesus Himself says if we know him, we know God and have seen God (John 14:7).  Jesus and God the Father are one and are united in purpose and works. We see this very clearly in Jesus obediently going to the cross and completing God’s work. When we look to the cross, we see the ultimate expression of God’s character—His uncompromising justice against sin and His boundless love for humanity. Being grounded in the cross enables us to have a right understanding of God and paves the way for true worship.

If I am honest, there have been countless times when I have failed to value God above all things and, as a result, I have not honoured and praised Him as He deserves. I am quick to exchange the truth of God for a lie and worship creation rather than the Creator. Too often, I end up serving and idolising myself, placing my own desires, comfort, and ego above everything else—as though I were the most important person in the universe.

Although this passage convicts me of my idolatrous heart, it also moves me to be thankful for Jesus. The knowledge that Christ took upon Himself the cup of God’s wrath, so that we do not have to face God’s judgement ourselves, moves me to gratitude.

Let us give thanks for God’s revelation to us in Jesus and pray that we will keep reading His Word, the Bible, so that we can grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Only by looking at Christ can we attain a right understanding of God, enabling us to live a life that may please Him and bring praise to Him forever.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Monica is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.