Hi and welcome back. This week we’re going to finish chapter one of Romans. The underlying theme of this chapter has been the need for the gospel.
Paul spells out the tragic outcome for those who choose to place their faith in the things of this world rather than putting their faith in the Creator of this world. Last week we left off with verse 28. Which reads,
Romans 1:28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
As we said last week, God gave them up or abandoned them to their own carnal desires. As we move on to verse 29-30 where Paul continues to spell out what those desires were.
Romans 1:29-32 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
This is quite a laundry list.
Not everyone has committed everyone of these sins, but for humanity as a whole these sins are prevalent. What is interesting to note is that this list of sins includes what would be considered minor sins along with major sins. Which affirms that God detests all sin regardless of the severity of it.
Because of their refusal to acknowledge God they joined together in their sinful pleasures and promoted a lifestyle that legalized the abominations of their flesh.
Romans 1:32 Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
So where does the approval for doing these things come from? Mostly, it comes from our government. The government has legalized a multitude of sins.
It presents a complex problem for the Christian. On the one hand we know and believe that our leaders are ordained by God. On the other hand we see those same leaders doing what is reprehensible in God’s sight.
Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
Romans 13:2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
So as good citizens we need to submit to those appointed over us, and live within the law as long as that law is in line with God’s will.
Just because marijuana has been legalized does not mean that it’s okay for a Christian to smoke pot. Just because gay marriage has been legalized it doesn’t mean we should participate or condone such activities. Just because abortion is legal does not mean that it is okay to take a human life.
Again if it’s outside of God’s will we must not give validity to laws that go against God’s moral law. As Christians in the United States we have the right to vote out those who are not making sound biblical decisions.
We should always pray for our leaders and lift them up.
Any changes should be brought about peacefully and not through rioting and unseemly behavior.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
At this point we have reached the end of chapter one. I apologize for keeping this podcast brief, but since the cataract surgery I’ve only got the one good eye. I’ll be having surgery on the other eye Monday. So hopefully next week I’ll be back in the swing of things. Please continue to keep me in prayer and pray that the surgery will go well and that my eyesight will be fully restored.