Romans 1:27: Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
These are passions of dishonor and disgrace and depravity—regardless of what public opinion is today. Perversion entered into Greek life, and it brought Greece down to the dust. Go over there and look at Greece today. The glory has passed away. Why? These were their sins. 1
The sexually-transmitted herpes virus infection can also be dated to ancient times, but today it is epidemic. A 1982 Time cover story, “The New Scarlet Letter,” revealed that an estimated 20,000,000 Americans now have sexually-communicated herpes. Worse, it is completely incurable. As Time said, “It won’t kill you, but you won’t kill it either.” The reason for the virus’s exponential increase, according to Time, has been the escalation of sexual license. This receiving “in themselves the due penalty for their perversion” is an outworking of the wrath of God because of the suppression of the truth. 2
Application
- Read the biblical definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13:1-7.
- “Love does not parade itself” – how does God want you to display your love for Him and others?
Prayer
Lord, help me to honor You with the way I use my body, designed by You for me.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
2. Hughes, R. K. (1991). Romans: righteousness from heaven. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
