Weekly Devotional 4-15-13 Some Have Said
Some have said that one’s genetic makeup determines certain desires within a person causing him (or her) to step away from the normal order of things and commit things that are unnatural. They say that a person cannot help being what he (or she) is. In essence they are saying that God created them the way they are, but Scripture expressively refutes such claims pointing out that man does what he does because he has rejected God and lives according to his own depravity. Paul wrote of this in his letter to the Romans. “18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”
Paul writes that unregenerate men (which all are before spiritual regeneration) choose to suppress the inward testimony (the divine light that is in them (John 1:6-9). This is not a passive rejection of God, but an aggressive determination of the will. Unregenerate man decides to reject that which may be known about God and such rejection manifests itself in various forms of depravity. Rejection of God is an aggressive determination of the will because God has sent His spirit into the world to convince and convict men of sin (John 16:7-11). Because unregenerate man forcefully fights against that which is inwardly known, God sometimes stops His striving with them (Genesis 6:3) and gives them up to uncleanness and vile passions.
Moses wrote that such practices were an abomination to God (Leviticus 18) and these resulted in the Israelite being cast out of the Land and away from the people of God. Paul in another letter wrote that people who live according to the desires of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:16-21).
Thanks be to God if you are one who has been delivered from these things. Remember at one time we were all alienated toward God because of sin, but God in His great mercy has given us His Son that we might be delivered from its power: “ 16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes (trusts) in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18“He who believes in Him is not condemned” (John 3:16-18a).
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