One of my favorite shows on TV, when I was little, was "Topper". It was the story of an man...a butler I think...who could become invisible. I don't remember much more but the idea was intriguing. "The Invisible Man" was also a movie and it was fascinating to think about the advantages invisibility could give someone who was trying to stop criminals and do good works. This morning, as I read Romans chapter 2 I realized that, in a sense, we are all "invisible men". We learn in this chapter that every man has secrets in his heart..secrets that have to do with ambitions, motivations, heart-directions. They are secrets from other people, but they are known to God. One day the invisible man and his secrets will be revealed: Verse 16 "on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Jesus Christ." We apparently all carry a compass in our hearts to orient us and give us direction...but apparently our compass needs adjustment. This chapter explains that the hearts of men...the invisible hearts...can be stubborn, judgmental, impatient, selfish and unrepentant...or they can be perseverant in doing good, seeking glory, honor and immortality. Sometimes our invisible man thinks he can fool others by doing things and being places with the visible man that have an appearance of good...while the unseen man carries darker motives. As Paul was addressing Jewish Believers in Rome, he explained that the measure of "goodness" was not how much they have heard the Law of God...but how much they have practiced it. He goes on to explain that the secrets of a healthy invisible man have to do with hearts that are changed by God's Spirit and now live for the praise of God rather then men. We seem to do best when we realize that our "invisible man" is transparently obvious to God!
Romans 2:29 "But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God."
blessings,
Rob Smith
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