A Frightening Word

 Like the Father of the prodigal son who allowed his son to go and leave home to do as he pleased, (Luke 15:11)  the Apostle Paul wrote of God giving up those who lived with the three God dishonoring exchanges (Romans 1:24-25).  It was a horrible word Paul wrote when he penned the words, "For this reason God gave them up to degrading passions..." (Romans 1:26).  What a frightening word it would be for any of us to hear and know that our choices have resulted in God giving up on us and letting us go after whatever it is that pleases us even if it is contrary to the desires and intentions of His heart.    

As Paul continues in this letter to the Romans, he addresses what is perceived by him to be an expression of a heart bent on dishonoring God and choosing to live a life empty of gratitude for what God has given as gifts at creation.  ..women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural....and in the same way also the men...were consumed with passion for one another."  (Romans 1:26-27)  While the language of Paul sounds harsh to ears accustomed to being placated and tickled, it is obviously apparent here and in other writings that the Apostle speaks clearly about what he understands to be the will and intention of God.    

This section of Scripture is hard for most of us to read.  It seems like a word that is out of step with what is visible and accepted all around us.  It is not just the secular culture which declares this word an anachronism, but the mainstream church as well.  It is a word which, unfortunately, has created division among people.  There are only two choices.  We embrace the word spoken by culture, or we embrace the Word spoken by the Scripture.