(26)  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (27)  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

(28)  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (32)  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Romans 1:26-28, 32

Explanation:

The descent is described not in its inevitable form in verses 26-27, but in its logical form.  What I mean is that not everyone who supresses the evidence of God’s eternal power and existence will end up as what is described in verses 26-27, living a homosexual lifestyle.  What is true is that everyone who gets to what is described in verses 26-27 are there because of supressing the truth, worshipping the creature over the Creator, and worshipping themselves over other created beings.  Idolatry can you lead you to a lot of places, and those who end up exchanging the natural use of their own gender are practicing idolatry and denying the clear evidence of God around them. 

God is described as giving them up or giving them over these people 2 times in these verses.  Previously we see this in verse 24 (“God also gave them up”).  As we stated previously, sometimes the judgement of God is allowing people to receive the full experience of their desires.  This is what is meant in verese 27 where he says “and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

In verses 29-31, Paul describes a list of the kinds of behaviors that come out of this way of thinking and living.  This list doesn’t just involve sexual sin, but certainly includes it.

When we get to verse 32, Paul states that those who practice these things are worthy of death.  He is not making a governmental, political statement.  Although in the Old Testament some of the punishments for some of these sins were capital punishment.  This is not what is being described here.  This is a theological statement.  He is saying that those who sin (and that’s all of us) deserve death- eternal separation from God!

(20)  The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

Ezekiel 18:20

(15)  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

James 1:15

Application:

I am very aware of the lack of political correctness as I write this particular post.  That being said, it is not compassionate of anyone who knows the Truth of the Word of God, and the ultimate end of those who practice sin without redemption from Christ to not speak of the sinfulness and deadliness of sin.  There is hope!

(23)  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Yes, the wages of sin is death.  Sin must be acknowledged.

The good news is that God sees those who deny him and exchange the truth for a lie.  He knows that outside of the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ’s atoning death for sin on the cross these people have no hope. So God became man…

(14)  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

Response:

The Bible says that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  We must be willing to repent of our sin and turn to Christ by faith for the forgiveness of sins.  If you haven’t done that, do it!  NOW!  Today is the day of salvation.  Email me if you need to talk or have questions.

If you know Christ as Savior then your response and mine ought to be clear.

• A. We must see sin the way God sees it.  Repent of sin in your life.
• B. We must see mankind as eternal souls, many of whom are lost. Ask God for a passion for souls.
• C. We must be thankful for our own salvation, knowing who we were or who we could have been outside of Christ.  Express thankfulness to God for your salvation today!