The Second Exchange

It is a harsh word spoken when Paul wrote, "God gave them up..."  (Romans 1:24)  It is not that God no longer would offer mercy and grace, but that He would let the ones who would dishonor Him go their own way.  As much as He loved those who lived with darkened minds, He would not force Himself upon them.  Their choice spoke of not wanting anything to do with Him and if such was their choice, it was theirs to make.    

And as the Apostle Paul speaks of what is happening to these who are empty of gratitude to God, he goes on to speak of a second exchange.  Not only did they choose a distorted self over their original self, but they "they exchanged the truth about God for a lie."  (Romans 1:25)  As far back as the Garden we see an example of humanity choosing a lie over the truth that God had spoken.  The lie gave them permission to do what they wanted to do instead of doing what God wanted them to do.  The lie assured them they would not die even though God had said such would happen if they chose what He did want them to choose.  (Genesis 2:17)    

As the original self becomes more and more distorted, choosing the lie instead the truth about God becomes easier.  God's truth never compromises itself.  We want Him to accept our choices even though they are choices which make it more difficult for us to know the essence of His Being within us, but He is steadfast in His integrity.  The lie is anything which gives us reason to go a way inconsistent with the plan of God for our life.  God's plan is to once again make us at one with Him.  Since before the beginning He has been at work to restore us, to bring us to Himself, and to give us the life we were created to live.