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 men are without excuse.
I'm still constantly surprised that The Message translation gives verses such new meaning. I've heard the biblical phrase "not by works, so that no man can boast" from Ephesians 2:8-9. But read that verse I put above - "men are without excuse." Jesus/Father/Holy Spirit - God made Himself known through creation. He also gave us grace to save us. God knew our human tendency would be to glorify ourselves, even though we were create to glorify Him. Humans also take credit for every little thing we do, and even take the credit away from others too. In our quest for success and good appearances and impressive resumes and flawless reputations, we're unaware that we look like idiots because God didn't desire earth for it to work this way. So when we claim that our landscaping made the yard beautiful, that our hard work was the leading factor in a sale, or that somehow we're "good" enough to deserve eternal life, we're making excuses for the inexcusable. God is All. He did it this way on purpose. It's all for Him and all about Him.
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