Don’t tune out, yet. I know we’re talking about things that make us squirm, but we can’t skip over the parts of the Bible that make us uncomfortable. Romans 1:24-32 is one of those passages. We don’t hear many sermons on it or see many pithy social media posts about it. It’s the stuff we’d rather not talk about. To be perfectly honest, I’d rather not write about it either. But it’s God’s word, so here we go.
Chances are pretty good you know someone who is living a homosexual lifestyle. Our culture has normalized it to the point that even many churches have welcomed this particular sin with open arms. We’ve gone beyond loving and accepting those who are held captive by this (which we must do) to affirming and even applauding their lifestyle. Sadly, our affirmation encourages people to continue comfortably in a lifestyle that is a clear rejection of God’s perfect design. And unrepentant rejection of God leads to an eternity separated from Him.
But to be clear, homosexuality is not the only morally wrong lifestyle that Paul lays out in this letter to the Roman Christians. Evil, greed, wickedness, envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, arrogance, pride, disobedience, lack of discernment, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful… You get the point! And this list is only a small representation of how people dishonor God by breaking His law. No one can look at this list and honestly say they are innocent in God’s eyes. We are all in a desperate condition apart from the mercy and grace of God.
“The worst thing that can happen to sinners is to be allowed to go on sinning without any divine restraints.”
R. C. Sproul
There is a better way!
Patterns of sin that become a way of life characterize people who have chosen to live life on their own terms apart from God. Without the redemptive work of Jesus and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, we would all be doomed to the eternal consequences of sin. But when we surrender our life to Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to move in, these sinful patterns are replaced with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness, and self-control.
As the Holy Spirit sanctifies us, the things of our sinful nature begin to grieve us and we long to obey God. We long to be holy because He is holy. Do we still slip up and sin sometimes? Probably. But our life is no longer characterized by sin. We do not practice sin and neither do we applaud or affirm it. God hates sin, and we should, too.
What does this mean for me?
1 – God takes sin seriously. All sin! When it creeps up in my life, I must immediately repent and never make a practice of sinning. Before I address sin around me, I must deal with sin within me.
2 – As a reconciled, redeemed, and regenerated child of God, I have the power of the Holy Spirit which enables me to live a righteous and obedient life. Sin does not have to be part of my life.
3 – I must never approve of any sin anywhere! That means my vote matters. What I participate in matters. What I allow in my home matters. It won’t always be easy, but God’s holiness must always be my primary concern.
As culture shouts, “You do you,” we must sing a different tune! Our chorus must be the gospel of Jesus Christ and the truth of God’s word. The holiness of God must be our primary concern, and we must never be more afraid of the stuff we’d rather not talk about than we are of the wrath of God.
Jesus said: “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” – John 3:19-20 ESV
Hang in there! The Good News is coming!
Read on GotQuestions: Isn’t it unloving to tell someone they are sinning?
Read ahead: Romans 2
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