The Normal Christian Life: A Journey Through Romans
Thursday, February 16, 2006
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, I confess that we live in a broken world, and that many have failed to receive the wholeness that only You can give. I confess that sometimes my life is broken. I don’t do the things I know You call me to do, and do many things that You say not to do. I acknowledge this sin, and ask Your forgiveness. Lord, I pray for the forgiveness of our nation as well. We have bought into many lies of Satan and I ask that You will call us back to Yourself. I pray that You will send a mighty outpouring of Your Holy Spirit across our land that people will turn their hearts and lives back to You. God, I pray in particular for those who are caught up in sexual sin today, whether that of adultery, or fornication, or homosexuality, or pornography, or ANY form of sexual sin. Forgive these sins, and redeem all of us anew that You may be glorified and acknowledged as God. I pray that in my own life, You will empower me to lead a holy life and that all that I think, say and do will bring You honor. This I pray in the strong name of Jesus, and for the sake of His coming Kingdom. Amen.
God’s Word Today—Romans 1:24-27
24So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they worshiped the things God made but not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever. Amen.
26That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27And the men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within themselves the penalty they so richly deserved.
Reflecting on God’s Word
Today’s Scripture is clear about the specific sin of lesbian homosexual acts. As you read it, what do you see in it that would give those in the pro-homosexual movement among Christians the idea that such practices are “good”?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
Look at Romans 1:26. What does Paul imply is the specific reason that lesbian homosexual sexual activity is a sin?
According to Paul what would be the “natural way to have sex”?
Understanding God’s Purpose for Us
Is there anything in today’s Scripture that gives you an insight into why God created us? What role does our sexuality have in God’s design and purpose for us?
Applying God’s Word to Our Purpose
While today’s Scripture refers specifically to lesbian homosexual practice, consider the following sexual sins: fornication; adultery; homosexual practice; pornography. Do you or someone you are close to struggle with any of these sins? If so, take some time right now to ask for God’s forgiveness and also for God’s power to overcome the sins and gain victory in the name of Jesus.
Thoughts - The Natural Way to Have Sex...
The heading may have seemed a little unlikely for a daily Bible reading, but the Apostle Paul offers us an astute observation in Romans 1:26. What is wrong with lesbian homosexual behavior is that it is “against the natural way to have sex.” The natural way to have sex is for a man and a woman who are married to each other to engage in it. Paul doesn’t say that specifically, but he doesn’t have to in order for us to know that’s what he meant. Paul was a biblical scholar. He knew that in Genesis chapters 1 & 2, God created human beings “male and female.” He also told them to be “fruitful and multiply,” which assumes that one of the outcomes of the natural way to have sex is that offspring will be produced. That is one reason why premarital or extramarital sex is not natural (There are many others!). Paul knew that in Genesis 2, God made it clear that the natural avenue for sex is between a husband and a wife. There God said that a man is to LEAVE his father and mother, CLEAVE to his wife and become one (or ACHIEVE oneness). The natural way to have sex then includes being married, and investing in a growing, love relationship with one’s spouse, so that oneness—not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally as well—is attained. Those in the pro-homosexual movement say that what Paul was condemning in Romans 1:26-27 is not homosexual practice, but the lustful homosexual practice Paul describes. The contention is that if two women or two men are involved in a monogamous, loving relationship that is “natural,” and the way God designed it. To make such an assumption is to ignore Genesis 1 & 2 and the order of creation itself. While examples of homosexual practice may be seen throughout history, and occasionally in the animal world, the DESIGN of God is heterosexual, monogamous relationship through marriage. That is NATURAL. To state otherwise is to ignore the clear mandate of God. While other Scriptures condemn the practice of homosexuality, it is God’s ordering of creation itself that tells us the natural design for sexuality. While we want to demonstrate compassion towards all sinners, knowing that apart from God’s grace in Jesus we all deserve God’s eternal punishment for our sin, we cannot condone any sin, and be faithful to God’s call in our lives!
This Week’s Memory Verse:
They traded the truth about God for a lie. Romans 1:25a