Why do people challenge ‘nature’? Today’s society consists of dysfunctional families, single-parent homes, and same-sex marriages. Divorce percentages are down only because of co-habitations. Also our society is also one wherein alternative lifestyles are becoming more common, not only demanding recognition, but civil rights.
I believe the scriptures point to a direct relationship between “going against nature” and the breakdown in the marriage relationship.
Why do people challenge ‘nature’? Rom. 1:24-32 provides us the answer. Notice the "progression"...
v. 18 truth is suppressed by unrighteousness of men...
[unrighteousness is sin – 1 John 5:17]
Consequently...
v. 22 – Man, who once knew God, ceases to honor Him or give thanks to Him...
v. 23 – the glory of God is exchanged for images resembling man & animals.
Today’s society is no different than past societies. The problems faced by Christians who live in an ungodly society were faced by past generations of godly people. There is a progression toward further ungodliness until a point of no return is reached. [cf. 2 Chron. 36:15-16]
This progression is seen in Romans 1:
No honor or thankfulness – v. 21
God’s glory is exchanged – v. 23
God gave them up to the lusts of their hearts to impurity to the dishonoring of their bodies among them selves
Exchanged the truth about God for a lie
Worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator
God gave them up to dishonorable passions – vv 26-27
Did not see fit to acknowledge God
God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness – vv 29-32
As this behavior is practiced in a marriage relationship, the effects are upon the children.
PHASES:
When children have been reared in a home where they were exposed to “regular exposure” to anger, strife, bitterness, backbiting, and resentment of each other between parents, it does not go w/o negatively affecting the children!
That 2nd generation grows up w/an unhealthy attitude toward marriage.
Then by the 3rd generation, there is abuse, both verbal and physical toward.
Then by the 4th generation, there is the problem of gender/orientation being questioned.
History has shown that sexual attachments are among the determining factors of human character, life and the basis of society.
~ Heb. 13:4, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
~ 1 Cor. 6:9-11– “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of god. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
There has been many people from the past, with the behaviors such as those described in Romans 1 ~
- Sodom & Gomorrah – Gen. 13:13; 18:20; Jude 1:7
- The Canaanites – Lev. 18:22-27
- Rahab the harlot – Josh 2:1, 8-13; Heb. 11:31
- The people of Nineveh – Book of Jonah
- The man sick of the palsy – Matt. 9:1-8
- The publicans & sinners – Matt. 9:10-13
- The woman who washed Jesus’ feet – Luke 7:36-50
- Zacchaeus, the tax collector – Luke 19:1-10
- The thief on the cross – Luke 23:32-43
- The woman taken in adultery – John 8:1-11
In the N T: (who had been under the O T law)
The Corinthians in 1 Cor. 6:9-11; [cf. Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5-7 (uncleanness)]
Yet, many of these “changed”; i.e. they repented of their wicked ways didn't they?
HOW...WHY..."?
Herein we see the power of the good news. Let us have faith that what it accomplished in the past, it will accomplish in the present.
Our "NATURE" can be 'challenged', not only for the worse, but for the better. Our "NATURE" can be changed because of the gospel message, for the hope that it brings through Jesus.
Faith in this hope, that is exercised by submission to Jesus' teachings [Heb. 5:9], will enable any and all to overcome their past, and be forgiven, as were the Corinthians ~ "...And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
Faith that begins as small as a mustard seed can produce an unimaginable change in one's life, when that person's life is a life lived in worship of, and in service to God as Jesus taught and lived. Such a fruitful life was foretold and prophesied (Ezek. 17:23).
From a life of misery, negative feelings about self, turmoil, guilt, hopelessness, and regret, to living with peace, joy, happiness and blessed assurance, that cannot be lost, is what will be yours, when you choose to change how you live; change "MASTERS"; and live an honest life, following Jesus!
Do you have such a faith? Are you willing to begin living a life of obedience to Jesus, and cease serving Satan? Jesus promised this if you "CHANGE":
“Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life." ~ Mark 10:29-30
copyright 2018
rdb
No comments:
Post a Comment