Romans 1:23-25

by Pastor Randy Johnson Introduction Let us not forget, Paul has since verse 18 had a great warning about changing God’s truths into lies. Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;” “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven” because God has made known to man visibly to show His creation and man still refuse to believe the truth. Verse 19 Verse 20 even the invisible things of Him, like His eternal power and Deity can be seen just in the visible things alone, however man chooses to deny them and therefore “they are without excuse” verse 20 Verse 21 “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” This is why God said in verse 22 “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,” Verse 23 “And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” It is because the thinking themselves to be wise and that secular wisdom causing them to turn an uncorruptible God into a “corruptible man”. They convince people that God is not all powerful, all sovereign. In total control. They make people believe that they control God and God cannot control man. They do not understand who the potter is and who the clay is. The make God smaller than His own creation. Jesus Christ is thought of, by most today as just a man, they even attempt to make Him into a “corruptible man”. Verse 24 “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:” “Wherefore God also gave them up” The words “gave them up” means God gave them over, Paul said this 3 times in this passage. 1. Here in verse 24, 2. Verse 26 “For this cause God gave them up”, and verse 28 “God gave them over.” I would say point made. a. By giving them means in righteous retribution God abandoned them. He had no use for them and they were left to die in their sins and go to hell. Wouldn’t it be a terrible thing for God to give you up? b. Psalms 81:12 “So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.” c. God explains why in simple terms 2 Thessalonians 2:10 “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” d. It’s a dangerous thing to play with God’s truth. “God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts,” God will not change them; they will remain in their poor wicked totally depraved self. God defines this in verses 29 – 30 The Lord goes on to say “Through the lusts of their own hearts.” That is their natural depraved hearts, an enmity of God, lusting after worldly gods and worldly rewards. “To dishonour their own bodies between themselves:” That is to maltreat their own bodies and to do unnatural things together, i.e. adultery, homosexuality, all in a disgraceful way. Verse 25 “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” “Who changed the truth of God into a lie” We could spend all night on this one. a. Giving God no credit, giving God no glory, and etc. b. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (4.) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (5.) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? (6.) And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. (7.) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (8.) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (9.) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (10.) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11.) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (12.) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” c. Life Application Bible Commentary said; “People tend to believe lies that reinforce their own selfish personal beliefs. Today more than ever we need to be careful about the input we allow to form our beliefs. With TV, music, movies, and the rest of the media often presenting sinful lifestyles and unwholesome values, we find ourselves constantly bombarded by attitudes and beliefs totally opposed to the Bible. Be careful about what you allow to form your opinions. The Bible is the only standard of truth. Evaluate all other opinions in light of its teachings.” “And worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator,” That is they not only lie about Who God truly is, and lie about His blessed truths, but would rather worship idols rather than God. Crosses, pictures, buildings, money, anything created whether by man or God, and etc. a. John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” b. Beloved only the true God, His blessed truth, and a true form of worship is satisfactory to God, nothing and that is nothing else will be acceptable. It is our responsibility to assure ourselves what we do is done in absolute truth.