How Nature and Conscience Make Us All Accountable
If you’ve ever looked up at the stars, admired a sunset, or marveled at the complexity of life, you might have wondered if there’s something—or someone—bigger behind it all. In the Bible, Romans 1:20 says that just by living in this world and witnessing its wonders, we all have enough evidence to recognize that God exists. In simple terms, the verse tells us that nobody can honestly say, “I didn’t know there was a God.” Here’s how it breaks down:
Romans 1:20 in Everyday Language
This verse says:
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
What does that mean? Basically, everything we see around us—nature, the universe, the complexity of life—all point to a Creator. Even though you can’t see God directly, His “fingerprints” are everywhere. The beauty, order, and sheer size of the universe are like a giant signpost pointing to Him.
So, according to this verse, no one can claim complete ignorance or say, “There just wasn’t enough proof.” Creation itself is like a universal language that tells everyone, everywhere, that God is real.
Why Does This Matter?
The big idea is that everyone, regardless of where or when they lived, has been given enough clues through nature and the world around them to know that God exists. Because of this, the Bible says that nobody has a solid excuse for ignoring God or living as if He doesn’t matter. We’re all responsible for what we do with that knowledge.
Romans 1:18-25—A Bigger Picture
Paul, the author of Romans, explains that every human needs the salvation that comes through the gospel (the good news about Jesus), because nobody is perfect. None of us have managed to live up to God’s standards—or even our own, if we’re honest.
According to these verses:
· People have a built-in sense of right and wrong (conscience) and can see evidence of God in the world.
· Unfortunately, people often ignore what they know to be right. They do things they know are wrong and sometimes avoid doing what they know is good.
· Instead of honoring God, people have often chosen to worship objects, animals, or even ideas—anything but the Creator Himself. This is called idolatry.
· This turning away from God leads to more confusion and harmful choices.
· If it wasn’t for God revealing Himself through the gospel, humanity would have completely lost touch with the truth about Him.
What’s the Takeaway?
In short, Romans 1:20 tells us that everyone is given an opportunity through creation to recognize there’s a God. But, as Paul points out in the following verses, people often turn away from that knowledge and choose their own path, sometimes leading to idol worship or behavior that goes against what they know is right.
God’s message here is simple: He’s made Himself known to everyone, everywhere, through the world He created and the conscience inside each person. That’s why, according to the Bible, nobody can say they had no chance to know God—because the evidence is all around us and even within us.
This understanding lays the groundwork for why everyone needs God’s forgiveness and help, which is the main point Paul wants his readers to see in Romans. No one is left out, and no one is without hope—because while we are “without excuse,” we’re also offered a way to be made right with God.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 