Romans 1:18-32 – “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 

24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

 26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

 28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are  gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”  NASU

Let me declare emphatically that God LOVES ALL PEOPLE even those in sin but He is also a just and righteous God and will not excuse, overlook, or justify sin.  This passage is clearly an indictment on the lifestyle of homosexuality but it is much more than that.  The words of the apostle Paul through the Holy Spirit are a clear indication that God’s anger burns against ungodliness and unrighteousness, but is white hot toward those who ‘suppress the truth’ walking or living in a state of unrighteousness.  He makes clear that God created people to be a people of righteousness, and godliness.  His wrath is directed at those who create idols to replace the Living God and commit abominable acts.  The revelation of the apostle Paul is that God, over time, will ‘give them over’ to their lusts and impurity of heart, bringing, in a real sense, a curse physically.

With regard, to sexual sins, the text and context found here indicate that homosexuality is more than simply a choice, and is assuredly not simply a genetic matter.  Its root is found in vv. 18-25 if you will consider them.  Paul declares in v 26, “for this reason…”  For the aforementioned reasons, God ‘gave them over’ to degrading passions…  God is not to blame as some would argue, but He finally reached a place in his longsuffering that He said, “Okay, if that’s what you want, that’s what you have but there is a serious and severe consequence.”  He then addresses the matter of homosexuality.

Then in v 28, He begins a clear explanation of the consequences.  They “did not see fit’ to acknowledge God any longer.  The result was a ‘depraved mind’ which propelled them into the darkness of their choices.  The result was a heart and mind filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, hatred for God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient, lacking understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful.  If that was not bad enough consider v. 32, “and though they know the ordinance of God, that those who practices such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same thing, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”  What an indictment on a society that rejects God’s basic principles of behavior.

            We are not haters of people but haters of sin.  We want to see people delivered from the power of darkness and the corruption and vileness of sin, regardless of what that sin might be.  We want to see everyone come to repentance and receive the forgiveness of sin and experience the New Birth.  We should all pray the prayer of David in Psalm 51:8-12 -“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which you have broken may rejoice.9Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.11Cast me not away from your presence; and take not your holy Spirit from me. 12Restore unto me the joy of your salvation; and uphold me with your free spirit.”

Let’s pray that the Lord of Harvest sent forth laborers into His harvest.  God, bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Jesus!