I have titled our study through Romans 1-3 “In Need of a Savior” From the posts that we have been reading this past week I believe the reason is becoming more obvious to us our need of a Savior. Romans chapter 2-3 speak of this need in more detail.
I am going to continue to stand on the need to teach the text even though it is not very uplifting. Those of us who have experienced God’s amazing grace know there is hope at the end of the tunnel, if you will allow me to say it that way! There are those who have not heard the truth of their depravity or there are those who think that they are only a little depraved. God is telling all man that he is utterly helpless, utterly sinful, and most assuredly under His wrath and are in great need of grace. Not only saving grace but His daily grace.
My prayer through this study is that those of us who know God and worship Him will be reminded of His grace and Mercy. If there are some that come across this post that are in need of God’s saving grace, I pray God will open their eyes through the teaching of His word, to their need for Him!
We are going to walk through Romans 1:24-32 and see the consequences for not honoring God. In the context of this passage He is speaking of an unbeliever.
Please read the passage for yourself. One reason is to put the word of God into your heart. I am not going to write out the entire passage in this post.
Therefore
Paul begins this section of Scripture with the word , “Therefore.” He uses this word to bring us to a conclusion. Because something has happened there is going to be a result. There is a cause and effect. First we will look at the cause then we will look at the result. We need to know why he put the “therefore” here. We will go back to verses 16-23 and recap what he has been teaching.
The context of verses 16-23 is God revealing Himself to man and their rejection of Him.
God’s Revelation of Himself
“That which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident o them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:19-20
Mans Rejection of God
“For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four footed animals and crawling creatures.” Romans 1:21-23
In Romans 1:26-32 will we see the result of mans rejection of God.
God Gave Them Over
We will see three times God’s giving over of man in this passage. Giving over means to hand someone over to the power and authority of another. God hands men over to judgment because of their sin. God gives men up to the bend of their unholy lusts.
Romans 1:24- Man exchanged the glory of God for an image: God gave them over in:
- the lusts of their hearts to impurity.
- So that their bodies would be dishonored among them.
Romans 1:26-27 –God gave them over:
- To degrading passions
- The women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural
- In the same way the men abandoned the natural function of the women and burned in their desire toward one another
- Men with men committing indecent acts
( This describes homosexuality. It is an abomination to God.) If God gives someone over to it, it is not because He gives grace it is His judgment.
Romans 1:28- They did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over:
- To a depraved mind
- to those things which are not proper
- being filled with all unrighteousness
- wickedness
- greed
- evil
- full of envy
- murder
- strife
- deceit
- malice
- gossip
- slanderers
- haters of God
- insolent
- arrogant
- boastful
- inventors of evil
- disobedient to parents
- without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful
Therefore:
Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a man through whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead. Acts 17:30-31
If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Our pastor always says that you can’t really appreciate the good news until you’ve heard the bad news, so it’s necessary to read the parts of Scripture that aren’t so pleasant.
I agree with your pastor Melanie! We do not know how amazing grace is until we see our great need of it! Yes, it is very necessary to read the unpleasant parts. Praising God He has not left us in the dark concerning our need for Him. Thanks for sharing today:)
Great post Lisa. It is true what Melanie said above that sometimes we have to be reminded of the not so great parts in the Bible to understand how truly blessed we are to have such amazing Grace given to us. It is so undeserved, yet He loves us anyway. Thank you for the devotion today!
Thank you Anna! Yes, we need to see and hear, those not so great parts, to understand His Amazing grace! It is so undeserved and I too praise Him for His abundant Love! You are welcome! Thanks for stopping by today:)
oh what would we do without His grace!
Oh, what would we do is so right!!!!! Praise Him for His grace!
God gave us His word, all of his word. That means we have to learn about the unpleasant and bad things not just the good and pretty things.
Yes, Brandi! All of it. So many times people only pick and choose what they want to read or teach. We cannot do that, must be the whole truth!
Isn’t it wonderful that we have a Gospel of Grace and that those of us with our faith in Him have the hope of salvation!!!
Yes, Susannah it is wonderful that we have His Grace!! Praise God for the hope He gives to us through faith!!!
Every part of the scripture is important and every part should be taught. Sometimes in order to be popular and have more members some pastors unfortunately leave out the things that are not so pleasant to listen to. Thanks for sharing
This is a great post Lisa! So important to remember what we’re saved from to fully appreciate God’s grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness. Jesus is the answer for the world today. He is the only way!
Yes, Jonathan! Jesus is the only way, and He is the only answer for the world today!!! Praise God for His grace. Thank you for your kind words! Glad you stopped by:)
Now that is just plain and simple and laying it all out there. Either you worship Him or those things that are not from Him. Love this!
You are correct,the scriptures are plain and simple! We cannot have it both ways. Thank you Mary! I am glad you came by and that you enjoyed the post:)
Hey Lisa,
I came over on Soul Survivor today, and I’m glad to find your post! I hope you are teaching these lessons to a group in your community. This is good stuff!
That line, “He gave them over,” has always kept me on my knees and repentant.
Thanks for sharing such timely truths.
Hope you have a blessed day today~
Melanie
Hi Melanie! Thank you for stopping by today! That phrase” He gave them over” should keep us all on our knees! I have taught these lessons in a Bible study class! We are still working through Romans and soon more lessons will go up on the site! The lessons are available for free to you. I would love for you to print and use them any ay you would like. I would love to see groups of women every where working through them. That is the desire God has placed on my heart! Thank you for your encouragement and kind words! God Bless!
Thank you for this teaching! So thankful for our Savior!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
You are welcome Lori! Thank you for stopping by with your kind words! I am so very thankful as well!
Hi Lisa, I just visited your blog for the first time and joined up. Thank you for sharing all of what God’s Word says. So many people today only want the “feel good” stuff. We need to hear and learn it ALL!
Thank you!
Hi Brenda! I am so glad you signed up! I am so excited to see God grow His children through His word! Yes, we need to hear it all! Your welcome, All for His glory!
Hi Lisa, Thank you for sharing this. You are right, we must be aware of it all…the good, the bad, and the ugly. I appreciate your post!
Hi Rosie, you are welcome! It is not always easy or popular to share the good, the bad, and the ugly. But, so important for our walk with God. God Bless!
Thanks for this study! I wish the “unpleasant to read” parts of the Bible were put out there more often! I think it’s very important that people know these parts of it! Non-Bible readers may not see these parts and this is something they need to see most! How to live according to God, what’s right and what isn’t. Thanks!
Tara
Me too Tara! You are right the Non-Bible readers need to see these parts! It is so important that they do. We do not want to lull them into believing they are ok when in fact they are not! it is also good for us Bible readers to be reminded of the greatness of God’s Grace!Thanks for stopping by and sharing! God Bless:)
It is so sad and scary to think that many of those consequences are happening to our nation right now because we have turned away from God đ Thank you for sharing!
It is sad, very sad, the things that are happening in our nation all because we have turned away from God! glad to share and thank you for stopping by today:)
I was just reading this passage the other day. It had new meaning with what’s going on in the news today, and it really reminded me that God knows us, He knows our weaknesses and He loves us anyway! And that should be motivation on our part to follow His lead and do what He says.
Yes, Megan that He loves us with Amazing Grace should be motive enough for us! This Country is in much need of prayer and the truth of God’s word! Thanks for sharing today:)
Romans. the constitution of our faith. Chapter 1 is certainly sobering when we see the eivdence around us that many have chosen the wrong path. Thank you for standing firm in His Word. The Word of truth and not beig ashamed of the gospel!
Yes, Lisa, sadly many have chosen the wrong path. It becomes more evident everyday!You are welcome! The truth is all we have and all that will bring a person to Christ! Thank you for stopping by with your encouragement. God Bless!
Romans is such a challenge all the way through! The phrase that “God gave them over” is so sobering and challenging. Thank you for sharing!
You are correct, Nicole, Romans is a big challenge!!! Hard to wrap our minds around.Glad to share,Thanks for stopping by:)
Love the book of Romans – such truth and still Paul’s voice throughout is full of hope, faith and love. I understand why so many pick in their first few books to read.
Marissa
Paul was a man that knew the truths of God, and the consequences for not Honoring and obeying Him. He was eager to preach that truth with hope, faith and with much love! I pray that is our hearts as well! Thanks for stopping by Marissa:) God Bless!
You cannot share the one without the other! Excellent truths!
You are correct, Denise. We cannot share one without the other. When we do we distort the truth! The lost need the whole truth as well as the believer. Glad you stopped by today! God Bless:)
Though this is a hrad section, it does give me hope. And it answers lots of other questions and concerns as I ponder the issues we face today.
This is a hard section of Scripture! The book of Romans has many “hard sections.” I am thankful that God’s word has given you hope! God’s word is where we need to go with our questions and concern. Thank you for stopping by! Have a Blessed day:)
No one can be made right with God without Jesus. We are so doomed without Jesus. Blessedly God’s grace is stronger than any of our sins. Thanks, neighbor. Blessings to you!
Amen, and Amen!!! Yes, we are doomed without Him! Praise God for the power of His grace that saves us from our sins! Your welcome, have a blessed day! Thank you for stopping by:)
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. These are the consequences to life without Him.
Yes, and Amen! He is the only way!
It is so true – if we walk apart from God, we will suffer the consequences of our sin. So grateful that when we turn back, He welcomes us with arms open wide.
It is true Jennifer. Let’s Praise Him together for His abundant Grace!! Thank you for stopping by today:)