Romans 1:24: Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves.
The logic here is so clear: first a suppression of the majestic revelation of God, then a perversion to man-centered idolatry, and finally a perversion of man himself. “In the end their humanism (man-centeredness) resulted in the dehumanization of each other.”4 In the end, man lowers himself to a condition below God’s created purpose. As we will see in our next study, man, having rejected the witness of God in creation, goes on to live contrary to the very order of creation. 1
Because of their sin “God gave them up” (Rom. 1:24, 26) which means that He permitted them to go on in their sins and reap the sad consequences. They received “in their own persons the due penalty of their error.” This is the meaning of Romans 1:18, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven” (literal translation). God revealed His wrath, not by sending fire from heaven, but by abandoning sinful men to their lustful ways. 2
Application
- God will allow you to pursue reckless living, if your not interested in holy living.
- We are all free to choose are own lifestyle choices, but we are not free from the consequences of our choices.
Prayer
Lord, help me to resist and flee temptation immediately.
1. Hughes, R. K. (1991). Romans: righteousness from heaven. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
2. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.