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Romans 1:15-32
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Just like in the days of Noah, and also as in Sodom and Gomorrah before they were permanently obliterated, the Western world (the U.S. and parts of Europe) has begun to make less and less sense. Why are people acting the way they do, and thinking the way they think now? Why is there so much hatred and unwillingness to forgive others? Why do some call for equity while simultaneously reviving racism? Why the ever-growing lack of critical thinking skills and sound logic? The first chapter of Romans has had the answer for as long as anyone can remember. It's the same answer that has applied to all countries and societies before us. It is because of us knowing the truth but deciding to lie about it or hide it instead (holding the truth in unrighteousness) that God has allowed us ("gave them up" and "gave them over") to degenerate into wickedness as a punishment. Doing so is a very effective punishment, because ultimately we all know the results of our sins are our responsibility alone, not God's or anyone else's. |
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15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. [This first judgment was the heterosexual revolution, and was carried out during the 1970's through the 1980's:] 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. [This second judgment was the homosexual revolution, carried out during the 1990's through the 2000's:] 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. [This third and final judgment began in the 2010's and we're still living through it now. Whether we can stop it through repentance is not known:] 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; [A reprobate mind is a mind that doesn't work properly anymore. A prominent example of this is the idea that a human being can literally change his or her gender, which is biologically impossible.] 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. |