“CHALLENGING 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. 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. This progression in ungodliness will eventually reach a point of no return. (cf. 2 Chronicles 36:15-16). Why do people challenge their ‘nature’?

I believe the scriptures point to a direct relationship between 'going against nature' and the breakdown in the marriage relationship. In Romans 1:24-32, the apostle Paul outlines the progression:

v. 18 – truth is suppressed by unrighteousness of men... (unrighteousness is sin – 1 John 5:17)

Consequently...

·      No honor or thankfulness – v. 21

·    Man, who once knew God, ceases to honor Him, or give thanks to Him. – v. 22

·       God’s glory is exchanged for images resembling man and animals – v. 23

·    God gave them up to the lusts of their hearts to impurity to the dishonoring of their bodies among them selves – v. 24

·         Exchanged the truth about God for a lie– v. 25

·         Worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator– v. 25

·         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

When this behavior is practiced in a marriage relationship, the effects are upon the children are certain to come.

PHASES:

When children have been reared in a home where they were exposed regularly to anger, strife, bitterness, backbiting, and resentment between parents, it does not go without negatively affecting the children! The second generation grows up with an unhealthy attitude toward marriage. Then by the third generation, there is abuse, both verbal and physical toward. Then by the fourth generation, there is the problem of gender and orientation being questioned. History has shown that sexual attachments are among the determining factors of human character, life, and the basis of society. (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

There have been many people from the past, with the behaviors such as those described in Romans 1:

- Sodom & Gomorrah – Genesis 13:13; 18:20; Jude 1:7

- The Canaanites – Leviticus 18:22-27

- Rahab the harlot – Joshua 2:1, 8-13; Hebrews 11:31

- The people of Nineveh – Book of Jonah

- The man sick of the palsy – Matthew 9:1-8

- The publicans & sinners – Matthew 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: (those who had been under the O. T. law)

The Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; (cf. Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5-7). Yet, many of these repented of their wicked ways. There is only one thing powerful enough to cause a person to acknowledge their wickedness and motivate them to repent. 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. It is faith in this hope, exercised by submission to Jesus’ teachings (Hebrews 5:9), which will enable anyone to overcome their past and be forgiven, in like manner as the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Faith that begins as small as a mustard seed can produce an unimaginable change in one’s life, when that person’s life is lived in worship and service to God, following Jesus’ example. Such a fruitful life was foretold and prophesied (Ezekiel 17:23-24).

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 ‘Masters’; and follow 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 will: “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).