Themes from Romans - Therefore GOD gave them up

[George]

“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give
thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their
foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling
mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God
gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the
dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged
the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature
rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.” - Romans
1:21-25 ESV

We all know people that are wise in their own estimation. We also know
that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools
despise wisdom and instruction." -Proverbs 1:7. We would have to
conclude that one that knows God and fails to show the proper honor
toward Him has to be the ultimate fool.

The sad thing is that these fools "exchange the glory of the immortal
God" for things, They "exchange the truth about God for a lie." And
ultimately "worshiped and served the creature rather than the
Creator."

The amazing thing about this passage is how rebeleous people are. They
see God, yet they actively deny Him, and exchange the truth for a lie.
Why is this so??? I would have to point to just how depraved humanity
really is. People desire evil and wickedness. People don't want to
seek the righteousness of God, perhaps they desire to remain in their
sin.

The saddest part of this passage is in verse 24 "Therefore God gave
them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity," The God of the
univese who was moved by love for His creatures, instituted the plan
of salvation. This very same God would finally GIVE THEM UP.

Jonathan Edwards in his sermon "Sinners in the hands of an angry God"
makes the point that God has every right to be angry. The only reason
that humanty is able to live for even another day, is for God to
simply hold back His righteous judgement, which is completely just.

I am grateful that God has not given me up. I am thankful that He did
pour out His spirit to regenerate me, in order that I may see the
kingdom of heaven.

[Tom Kirkham]

On Sep 11, 12:21 am, George <gkardou...@sbrits.com> wrote:
> “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give
> thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their
> foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
> and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling
> mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God
> gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the
> dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged
> the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature
> rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.”  - Romans
> 1:21-25 ESV

I think the key to understanding this passage is that Paul is speaking
of people who KNEW GOD, but rejected this knowledge. The term "knew"
here is commonly looked at in Scripture as having heard AND UNDERSTOOD
the full message of the Gospel. So, the final verdict -- their hearts
were darkened and God gave them up... to impurity -- is a clear
statement that those who HEAR and UNDERSTAND, but do not embrace God's
Word will not inherit the kingdom of God.

This is in contrast to those who have NOT heard God's Gospel and are
in a state of ignorance other than what their conscience may indicate
to them.

If your are a Believer-- knowing God AND embracing God's Gospel-- then
God will never give you up and you will never be sent a delusion as do
those who REJECT the Gospel.