ROMANS 2:15

“in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,”

We learn as a child the difference between right and wrong. As I watch my 13 month old grandson learn this, it’s amazing how quickly he learns. He is crawling and almost walking everywhere now. That means things that were not in his grasp before have become accessible. We have decided to not remove every item off the lower shelves but instead teach what he can and cannot touch. He is already recognizing that. It’s like he instinctively knows to obey what we teach him.

Today’s verse is a perfect example of the truth that all mankind have been given the ability to know right from wrong, to know evil from good. Paul says, “the Law written in their hearts,…” Look how Barnes explains this word “hearts.” “The word ‘hearts’ here denotes the mind itself, as it does also frequently in the Sacred Scriptures; not the heart, as the seat of the affections. It does not mean that they loved or even approved of the Law, but that they had knowledge of it; and that that knowledge was deeply engraved on their minds.” You see, the Gentiles knew what was right and what was wrong.

APPLICATION

I love how the Topical Lexicon summarizes its discussion on the Greek word for “hearts.” It says, “Kardia gathers the whole interior life—thinking, feeling, choosing—into a single term that Scripture repeatedly declares must be transformed by grace. God searches it, the gospel renews it, the Spirit indwells it, and the believer is called to guard it until Christ is fully formed within.”

In John 14:1 Jesus says these simple words, “‘Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.’” God does not want our hearts to be troubled. He does not want us struggling to know how to recognize evil from good or right from wrong. Contrary to the world’s view, there are not different shades of right. God makes it clear in His Word what is right and what is wrong. And when we do what is right, we have peace with God and man.

So, how’s your heart today? Are you troubled and confused? Stop relying on your own intellect or reasoning. Paul said in today’s verse that the Gentiles had their conscience and thoughts working overtime to show them the truth, but many of them rejected that in favor of doing what they though was right. Don’t fall into that trap! As Jesus said, “believe also in Me.” Believe Him and let Him show you how to live.

Lord, I will follow Your lead, even when I think I know a better way because I know in the end, You are the better way.

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