Jan 27, 2019
Originally Presented on August 20th, 2006
Scripture Reading: Romans 1:28-32
There is a frightening downward spiral of the human mind and soul described in Romans 1. First, a man suppresses the truth about God (Rom 1:18) and refuses to honor God as God (Rom 1:21). Next, God gives him over to his sinful heart to do what is foolish (Rom 1:24,26,28). Next, man's mind becomes darkened and depraved and he loses the capacity to even see what sin is (Rom 1:21,22,28). Finally, the effect of this depraved mind is all kinds of evil, which Paul catalogs in verses 29-31.
Not every sin is mentioned in the list here, but so many are mentioned that the point is unmistakable . . . all sin, regardless of what it is, finds its root in a suppression of the truth about God and a dishonoring of Him as God. All sin has to do with a denial of God.
The rest of the book of Romans was written to describe the work of God which triumphs over sin and its effects. There are some wonderful promises in Romans which display how God gives men a new heart and mind. Romans 6:17 speaks of being 'given over' (the same word as in Rom 1:24,26,28) to God's truth. Romans 12:2 speaks of being transformed by a renewal of our minds.
God's wondrous work in our lives triumphs over sin's dark, destructive results. No wonder, in Romans 6:17, the apostle passionately declares "Thanks be to God."