Can of Worms?

Good Morning!

Romans 1:18-32 (English Standard Version)
God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
24Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
26For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28And 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. 29They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Though 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.

I can hear you now – Mr. Jim’s about to open a can of worms …

Well, not really. I do believe that this passage speaks to the sin of homosexuality – but I think we would be wise to not limit this passage to that one sin … because this passage contains much more. The underlying problem is found in verse 21 – mankind knew God – but CHOSE not to honor Him as God or to give thanks to Him. I checked to see if Paul was writing this yesterday. It sure seems like it! Just listen to the newscasts – within my generation, our nation has gone from being shocked when a professor at Emory University stated that there was no God to what seems like a general acceptance of that incredible notion. Certain people would rather develop outlandish theories and spend billions trying to support that theory than to just look around and marvel at the completeness of that which God created.

Please note that God is still in control – because it was He who gave them up. God could have with only a thought forced mankind to acknowledge Him – but He didn’t. You see, God wants us to CHOOSE Him. We have a free will that God gave us – and we can choose to give our hearts and minds and bodies to Him or to give our hearts and minds and bodies to the lifestyle that is described in verses 29 through 32. Quite frankly, I prefer being in God’s court – but then, maybe I am a simpleton as some have claimed that anyone who believes God is. I guess we will see when judgment comes.

So, as we begin this Thursday, let us CHOOSE God – and choose life. Have a great day today!

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Good morning Jim,
I would like to put a name on the list for prayer for the next 6 months or so. As you know, Howard (my son) is career military in the reserves. He leaves this Sunday to begin a long tour oversees. The final destination is still unknown, but it doesn't take rocket science to figure it is one of two places ... A or B. He will be challenged as never before spiritually as well as physically and emotionally. Daisy and I ask for God's grace to have His will in it and the strength to bear the long separation. It goes without saying we hope for his safety and assurance that He has him in his hands.

Fred & Daisy Hottensen