Reading the first chapter of Romans, we understand that our eternal salvation and daily well-being are summed up in “who” we choose to revere and to whom we give our gratitude.
No one can say that they do not know God. Nature points us to the Creator, and deep down, we all know that there is a force greater than this world that manages everything around us and that brought this world into existence. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20 NKJV). It takes a deliberate choice to refuse to believe in God. It takes exposure to different theories and choosing to make them our way of life (Romans 1:25).
When we think about it, our well-being is rooted in our gratitude, and our conduct depends on our reverence.
If we choose to place our gratitude in God, we naturally choose to thank God for everything around us. For His Word and His perfect plan, our joy will depend on all of that. And since God does not change, our joy and inner peace will not change either. If we take the time daily to thank God for all He gives us, we will no longer have time to complain. “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:21-23 NKJV).
But if, on the contrary, we place our gratitude in what is earthly, which we expect to receive from others to be happy, our joy will never be complete and stable. If our joy depends on the state of our relationships, we will live in worry, and any conflict will shake our inner peace. If our joy depends on success in our job, if the pleasures of this world (sex, food, material goods) are our aspiration, we will never be satisfied.
The other pillar of our life is reverence: what do we consider holy and essential? For the children of God, reverence is also called the fear of the Lord. It is not being afraid of God, but rather fear of being separated from God. It is not fleeing God, but on the contrary, seeking to be so close to Him that we keep our life sanctified to remain close to His heart. Reverencing God keeps us in the line of conduct that God desires for us. That is also the course of conduct that leads us to His blessings and eternal life.
But if we worship the earthly things, we will also choose a course of conduct that conforms to the world. If we glorify other humans’ prosperity, physical achievements, or outward beauty, we will feel belittled and will embark on a vain pursuit that is never satisfying. To be like other people who only consider their nature, we will adopt a course of conduct like theirs. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful” (Romans 1:28-31 NKJV).
Victory over sin is not beyond our reach. It lies simply in our reverence. Who are we trying to impress? Are we trying to please God or humans? Our conduct will follow our reverence. The same is true for our inner peace and joy. It depends on the subject of our gratitude. Who is the recipient of our praise? Who attracts our admiration more: God or humans? Let us choose to give glory to God in all circumstances, and we will remain hidden under His wings.