The Normal Christian Life: A Journey Through Romans
Friday, February 17, 2006
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the grace and mercy You have demonstrated not only to me, but to everyone through Jesus’ death on the cross! I praise You that when we were dead in sin, You paid the penalty for that sin on the cross. Fill me today with Your Holy Spirit that I may be holy, that I may live in accordance with your will and ways and that I may share the Good News of Jesus boldly and confidently. As I study Your word in Romans 1:27 and read of the sinfulness we humans are capable of when we turn from You, I pray that You will keep me away from all sin, that what I think, say and do will bring You honor. I pray that every interaction I have with others will bring opportunities to speak up or stand up for You and to offer the new life that You have given me through Jesus with others. Thank You in advance for working in and through me, and for advancing your Kingdom through my life today. This I pray in Jesus’ name. 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
As you look at Romans 1:27 and see Paul’s words condemning homosexual sexual practice among men after having just made the same statement against female homosexual practice in 1:26 consider why God would be so against such practices, and why our culture seems to promote them through media, and “social action” organizations?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
What are the similarities and differences between Romans 1:26 and 1:27?
What do you think Paul means when he talks about men who practice the sexual sin of homosexual sex, suffering within themselves the penalty they so richly deserve?
Understanding God’s Purpose for Us
What does today’s Scripture tell us by inference God’s purpose is for us when it comes to sexual relationships?
Applying God’s Word to Our Purpose
Today’s Scripture is quite specific in referring to homosexual sexual practice as sinful. This is a matter of a great deal of discussion in America today. Many practicing homosexuals consider themselves Christians and argue that the Bible is “out of date” and “out of touch” when it comes to these matters. Take some time right now to ask God to give you a heart of compassion in addressing this matter with those in your circle of influence who are practicing homosexuals or who have bought into our cultures lie that homosexual practice is acceptable.
Thoughts - The Homosexual "Lifestyle"
One of the chief means used by the pro-homosexual movement in America (and around the world) in order to gain acceptance of homosexual practice is to refer to homosexuality as an “alternative lifestyle. The term is one that was introduced to our culture in the 1970’s as the “gay liberation movement” pushed into full swing. The idea is to see homosexuality as one “lifestyle” among other equally valid lifestyles. The reality we find in Romans 1:26-27 is that homosexual practice is a perversion of the natural order instituted by God and is not just an “alternative lifestyle.” If someone were to suggest that lying or stealing or murdering were simply “alternative lifestyles” everyone would see at once that was not the case. Folks have often asked me whether I thought homosexuality was “worse” than any other sin. The answer to that question is, “Of course not!” But the question itself recognizes that homosexuality IS a sin. The key for the pro-homosexual movement is for us to stop calling homosexual practice a sin, because if it is sinful, then we obviously can’t endorse it as an alternative lifestyle, and follow Jesus at the same time. Every sin is wrong, because it breaks God’s commands, and it breaks our relationship with God. Thus, Paul reminds us that those who practice homosexuality whether men or women are going against the natural intentions and design of God, and are sinning. The way to be forgiven is simple, and straightforward—as it is for ALL sin: confess that we have sinned, repent of the sin, and receive God’s forgiveness. Many would say to us that homosexuality has a genetic component. This has not been proven, and even if it was, would only show the pervasive nature and impact of sin, and would still not condone its practice. A genetic predisposition to alcoholism has been discovered, but that doesn’t endorse one’s right to be an alcoholic—it calls one to abstain from drinking alcohol. Our lives were created to be lived in holiness before God in ALL areas of life. The only way we can accomplish that design is to fall on the grace and salvation of Jesus!
This Week’s Memory Verse:
They traded the truth about God for a lie. Romans 1:25a