“And even as they did not
like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to
do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual
immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder,
strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of
God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to
parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who,
knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are
deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice
them.” - Romans 1:28-32
Who is Paul describing?
People you meet every day. People who believe
that what they believe is right – that the way they behave and others behave is
OK. That is what happens when we wander
from the framework that God intended for how His Creation was to live and act
and think. Imagine a fish swimming in
the ocean and deciding they weren’t meant to swim in the water – they didn’t like
swimming in the water – so one day they leapt out of the water onto the shore –
flopped around for a while – surrounded by air but unable to breath it. And so
they died right there on the bank within inches of what would give them life –
but refusing to do what they were created to do – swim in the water. They would rather die in misery than submit
to their creator. And what’s more they encourage others to do the same. Nobody like to sin alone. The more the easier
it is to justify the behavior.
“All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be
complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work..” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
God has provided the guide to
right living and right relationships – with Him and with others. Then He
provided a way to live that way – His Spirit. All that is required is a person
with a heart yielded by faith, devoted to God and not themselves. Even a blind bird can catch a bug now and
again. Meaning that people who live apart from God might do good things but
that does not make them right before God.
There are some people who are evil and some people that are not so
bad. Apart from God – their destiny is
the same. They are just fish flopping on
the shore – gasping for air even while they are surrounded by it – refusing to believe
that they might be wrong – their last breath on the bank is the proof of their
folly.
Imagine living your entire
life thinking that you are right in your rejection of God and His Son – only to
discover that you were wrong. The thought of that brings a deep sorrow to my heart.
The culture we live in is pretty much described in Romans chapter 1. I know that not all will be saved, but some
will be. And my responsibility? My responsibility – your responsibility is to be a light – a peculiar
people – pointing others to the Truth. A seed planter. A garden waterer. Paul says it in Romans 12.
“I [beg] you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do
not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of
God.” – Romans 12:1-2
I want to encourage you to
see the world as it is. That sin is sin and not just an alternative choice that
is OK so long as you don’t hurt someone else.
Like abortion, if it does hurt someone else you just redefine what “someone else” is. If it is not human then you are not hurting
someone else, so it is OK. Lower the bar
until you can jump over it – call it good and a victory for what is right. 826,000
abortions in the US in 2017 (Guttmacher Institute). That is what happens when people abandon what
God says it right.
“There is a way that seems
right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” – Proverbs 14:12
God wants your heart totally
devoted to Him. A heart turned toward God and away from the world. And
the result will be that we love others the same way that God loves us. With
mercy and grace. Pretty simple really. So why then isn’t it easy? Simply
stated – it is our old nature – what we want to do naturally. Jesus was
telling us to do what man cannot do apart from God. Certainly is starts with a
decision when we are born again – but continues with really that same decision
every day – with every breath we take – choosing God and not the world.
So what will you choose today?
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For
His Glory Alone
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