January 6

The Cause and The Cure

Bible Reading: Romans 1:16-32

If such a thing were possible, I’ve long wondered what it’d be like to instantly time-transport some average 1960s vintage American citizen from their day to ours.  Undoubtedly, they’d be surprised by the advancements in technology.  But I sense they would be even more shocked and grieved at the decline in morality and civility.  Has there ever been a time, in our lifetimes, of greater distress and uncertainty?  Some of this is because of Covid, but there’s more to it than that.  What is the cause of the morass in which we find ourselves?  Is there a cure?  Today’s reading speaks to these important questions.

The passage speaks to a downward spiral which starts in one place and ends up in another.  I think it’s going to help us to start at the ending of this text and retrace our steps.  As we shall see, this will relate the entire matter back to the course of study we’ve been traveling these past days.

Romans 1:29-32 includes a long-list of sinful attitudes and behaviors.  It’s an ugly list.  A list of things which are all too apparent in our present day society.  A couple of things stand out.  Not only are these folks engaged in evil, they became inventors of evil (looking for new ways to express the evil bound up inside).  Not only did they practice such things, they became ambassadors of evil, cheering on those who join in.

In retracing our steps, what brought them to this point?  Notice the threefold repetition of the phrase, “God gave them up” (1:24, 26, 28).  “God gave them up: in the lusts of their hearts to impurity; to dishonorable passions; to a debased mind.”  Without God’s restraint, their depraved hearts and darkened minds were freed to engage in all kinds of evil behaviors.

Again, taking a step back from that vantage point, we must ask the tragic question, “Why did God give them up?”  The answer is found in verse 18, where we find the “wrath of God is (present tense) revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”  Inasmuch as men are suppressing the truth in unrighteousness, God, in His wrath, has given them up.

But in what way are they suppressing the truth?  Verses 19-23 explain.  Though God, through His creation, has revealed both Himself and something about Himself, they refused to honor Him as God, or give thanks.  In fact, instead of worshiping their Creator God, they are predisposed in their futile and foolish thinking, to worship anything BUT Him.  This is the rejection which leads to ruin.  Sadly the truth of this passage is being played out before our very eyes in the days in which we live.

Yet we praise God!  There is a way to escape this pathway to ruin.  Sin is the cause, Romans 1:16 identifies the cure, indeed the only cure for all that ails us!  Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”  The good news for those who travel the broad way is this, the same powerful God who created all things has a gospel message which is powerful to save.  Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead so that we would be saved by grace through faith in Him.  He alone can rescue!  Sin is the cause.  Christ’s the cure!

Heavenly Father.  There was a time when I walked in denial of what was plain to see, you are the Creator of all.  My stupid sinful choices led me down a prodigal path full of burdens and loss.  Thank you Lord for making the truth of the gospel known to me and rescuing me!  These are distressing times in which we live.  People need You!  Give us a powerful testimony, compassionate hearts with Spirit empowered wisdom and boldness—to be used by you in making the gospel known to the world.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

2 thoughts on “January 6”

  1. Jerry,

    These are very good! Again, Thank you for your work.

    I do have a request, however. We have a few (mostly elderly) people who do not use computers or internet. If you could email or post a week at a time (Sunday to Sunday), I could print them and give them to those folks each Sunday. (They, perhaps more than others, could use the devotions and would love to have them.) January 1 begins on a Saturday, so after the first week, it will be less work.

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