Stratford Church of Christ Column
One of the most sobering statements concerning sin is found in the Bible in Romans 1:24. This verse uses the phrase, “God gave them up …” The context of Romans 1:18-32 finds the apostle Paul referring to sins that were frequently practiced by the Roman society of his day. The apostle lists numerous sins of immorality that were commonly repeated among those who were largely given to idolatry. The addiction to their cherished sins caused many of those people to be in the lost condition described in this chapter.
Please notice a portion of this context in verses 28-32. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”
Did you observe in the above verses that Paul seems to describe many of the cherished sins of our own society today? “God gave them up … ” is a terrifying statement. But it was their own choice of sinful actions that led them to be in this hopeless situation of being forsaken by God.
Please note that they were forsaken by God only after they had first forsaken Him. From this catalog of sins, three truths about sin and its nature come into view.
First, sin is real. The forsaken condition of those people was the result of the presence of sin in their lives. They were guilty of rejecting God’s standards and attempted to replace them with standards of their own choosing. Their choice of sin, instead of God, had placed them under the sentence of God’s wrath. Verse 18 of Romans 1 says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”
Our society needs to remember this as well.
Second, sin is destructive. One of the great tragedies of sin is what it does to the person committing the sin. Sin destroys so much in us. It is a terrible thing to watch the negative things that happen to a person’s mind, emotions and body, because of their chosen sins. Sin is never good for us.
Third, sin brings about a separation between us and God. One of the great tragedies of sin is what it does to a person’s relationship with God. Isaiah 59:1-2 says that your sins separate you from God. Sin is an act of rebellion against the authority of God. If you live in the practice of sin, you live apart from God. It is essential that you obey God before this separation leads to your eternal destruction.
How terrifying would be the thought, to be among those of whom Paul said, “God gave them up.” But how grateful we should be that just a few chapters later, the same author would give us the needed instructions of how we can obtain forgiveness in Christ, so that salvation and hope might be ours instead.
Romans 6:3, 4 says, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
All people of this world have sinned (Romans 3:23). Any person choosing to obey the Lord can be forgiven by the blood of Christ, which was given for that purpose. Notice the commanded obedience: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
Why not obey God and receive His blessing of salvation? This is why Jesus “came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). As a forgiven person, life is different. Sin is no longer the practice of your life. Instead, living a righteous life becomes your joy and peace.
Forgiveness of your sins and hope of eternal life because of Jesus is the greatest of blessings a person can obtain. Do not hesitate to obey the Lord’s commands. His blessings can be yours today. God never gives up on His obedient children!