Romans 1:24-25 (First, the bad news)
Romans 1:24-25 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.By giving them up, God allowed them to pursue their sins unrestrained. In exchanging the truth of God’s glory for the worship of created things, man brought wrath upon himself. Tattoos, as shown in the photo above, are just one way that men can reveal where their attention and heart are focused. Therefore, the wrath of God is revealed against sin by the consequences of sin itself. It does not take a separate act of judgment by God to punish sin because sin is its own punishment. When sinners pursue sin unrestrained, the results always serve to punish the sinner. Drug, gambling, sexual, and alcohol addictions all bring suffering and punishment to those that pursue these lusts. The lust for wealth, power, and fame also take a heavy toll on those who pursue them with reckless abandon. Since these lusts and addictions are never fully satisfied, the sinner is in bondage to his own lustful desires. This bondage does not bring peace and contentment.
Praise God that by his grace believers hold on to the truth about God and are not only eternally secure but have the peace that surpasses all understanding in this life as well. It is a Christian characteristic to be happy and contented due to a focus that is placed outside of themselves and on the Kingdom of God rather than on worldly lusts. This does not mean Christians do not enjoy the glory, beauty and majesty of God’s creation. But, their world-view is conformed to the truth of God rather than the lie as is expressed in these verses.
7 comments:
I just read your comment on Pulpit Magazine
"One thing is for certain. Salvation is God driven by grace alone and He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy. His Word says that salvation is secured by faith alone in Christ alone. This refers to the Jesus Christ that is presented in the Bible and not a Jesus that is dreamed up by the imagination.
God provided the sacrifice and I trust that his grace will provide a sufficient understanding of Christ to those he redeems."
and had to come right over and tell you how much I admire you for being able to speak the truth so directly in all forums!
Of course, today's post is right on!!!! AS always. Thanks for being here in blogland.
Susan
Susan,
Thanks so much for the encouragement. I admire your writing and blog as well.
wayne
Sin is very ugly.
"Sin, in short, is that vast moral disease which affects the whole human race, of every rank and class and name and nation and people and tongue, a disease from which there never was but one born of woman that was free. Need I say that One was Christ Jesus the Lord? ...
I am convinced that the first step towards attaining a higher standard of holiness is to realize more fully the amazing sinfulness of sin." -John Charles Ryle (1816-1900)
The Church needs to see how evil sin is, and then revival shall begin.
This may be a bit of a rabbit path from your excellent post. I hope it may add to it in some way.
Don,
Good point. As the ole country preacher said one time, "you got get'em lost before you can save'em."
Wayne
"Therefore, the wrath of God is revealed against sin by the consequences of sin itself."
Well said. God has blessed you with a teaching ministry. You are so very clear and easy to follow. When it comes to the Body of Christ God is using you to edify, comfort and encourage young and old alike.
Please wish the Mrs. a Happy Mother's Day for me.
Mark,
Thanks for the encouragement. Message delivered to the Mrs. and here's wishing your wife a Happy Mother's day as well.
Wayne
You hit the nail on the head. Bondage is the word. Thanks.
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