20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
22 “‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.
Commentary Romans 1:26-27
God's plan for natural sexual relationships is his ideal for his creation. Unfortunately, sin distorts the natural use of God's gift. Sin often means not only denying God but denying the way we are made. When people say that any sex act is acceptable as long as nobody gets hurt they are fooling themselves in the long run (and often in the short run) sin hurts people-individuals, families whole societies. Because sex is such a powerful and essential part of what it means to be human it must be treated with great respect. Sexual desires are of much importance that the Bible gives them special attention and counsel more careful restraint and self control with any other desire. One of the clearest indicators of a society or person in rebellion against God is the rejection of God's guidelines for the use of sex. Homosexuality (to exchange and abandon natural relations of sex) was as widespread in Paul's time as it is in ours many pagan practices encourage it. God is willing to receive anyone who comes to him in faith and Christians should love anyone no matter what the background. Yet, homosexuality is strictly forbidden in scripture (Leviticus 18:22) Homosexuality is considered an acceptable practice in the world today even by some churches. But society does not set the standard for God's Law. Many homosexuals believe that their desires are normal and that they have the right to express them. But God does not obligate nor encourage to fulfill all of our desires (even normal ones). Those desires that violate His Law must be controlled. If you have these desires you can and must resist acting upon them consciously avoid places and activities you know will kindle temptations of this kind. Don't underestimate the power of Satan to tempt you nor the potential for serious harm if you yield to these temptations. Remember God can and will forgive sexual sins just as He forgives other sins. Surrender yourself to the Grace and Mercy of God asking Him to show you the way out of sin and into the light of freedom and His Love. Prayer, Bible study, and strong support in a Christian church can help you to gain strength to resist these powerful temptations. If you are already deeply involved in homosexual behavior seek help from a trustworthy, professional, and pastoral counselor.
No comments:
Post a Comment