Romans 1:26-27 A Heart-Stopping Truth

The book of Romans begins by reminding us that we are sojourners here. As the church, we must have a sincere devotion to spreading the Gospel, which at times may be an offense to the unbeliever. We are not to be ashamed (embarrassed) of the Gospel; we are to declare both God’s love and His justice (Judgment of sin). For many, the judgment of God is offensive, a truth that is hard to handle.

In verses 26-27 there is a heart-stopping Truth: at some point, sinners, continue to sin, continuing to exchange God for lustful idols, God “gives them over” to the sinful desires of their hearts. When that happens, those people are blinded and impervious to the Truth, completely unwilling of receiving salvation.

In the Garden, when the first disobedience occurred, the world was surrendered to Satan, but God placed some restraints on him. Is it possible that when “God gives them over,” He removes some of those restraints and people are then wholly subject to Satan’s evil?

When we observe today’s society and culture, are we not just blown away at the similarities to the sinful behavior referenced in these verses? The drift from the Biblical sexual ethic is not just prevalent today, it is celebrated. It’s correct to describe this as sin or idolatry, but is it also possible that God has removed some of Satan’s restraints as He “gives them over?” We see the results of, not only broken, sinful man, but evil, largely unrestrained.

As God’s people, redeemed and righteous through Christ’s sacrifice, we must be ever more thankful and obedient to Christ and His Holy Word, recognizing our lostness without our Savior; that is our just and only proper response to the indescribable love and sacrifice of our Heavenly Father. He is committed to bringing our lost souls to faith, granting us eternal life with Him, and permitting us to enjoy Him forever.

-Syp Vander Dussen