GIVEN OVER

GIVEN OVER

So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. Psalm 81:12

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts… —Romans 1:24

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts… —Romans 1:26

God gave them over to a depraved mind… —Romans 1:28

            These are very concerning words— “God gave them over.” When men follow their own counsels then anything can happen.   The only solid foundation is the Word of God. All other foundations are but shifting sand. Everything, yes everything that is built on shifting sand will come crashing down.   Only that which is built on the Word of God, on Jesus Christ, will stand.

            What happens when God gives men over to follow their own counsels? Well, let’s take a look at what God tells us out of Romans chapter one.

• Their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened —v.21
• They claim to be wise, but they are fools. —v.22
• They sexual degrade their bodies with one another. —v.24
• They worship & serve created things. —v.25
• They practice shameful lusts (homosexuality). —v.26-27
• They have depraved minds and do what ought not to be done. —v.28
• They become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. —v.29
• They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. —v.29
• They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents. —v.29-30
• They have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. —v.30
• They know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death. —v.32
• They not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. —v.32

Now take a look around at our culture that is “worshipping and serving the creation” rather than the Creator and you will see these very things being worked out as in the rest of the world who do not want to worship and serve our Creator.   Yes, when people cross the line and God gives an individual, a people group or a nation— then things become very dark. Brother and sister “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt 5:16).  “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (I Peter 2:12). Yes dear Father, may we shine for Your glory and the benefit of others.   May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son, Jesus. So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM2NFCdtCY4