God Turned Them Over

Romans 1:24-32 The Consequences of Sin

All of these consequences are intermingled together but I want to look at the three times God has said he would turn them over.

This is not a progression but a single moment of hardness that Paul emphasises three times

This is the greatest of consequences. We see this consequence in the life of Pharaoh, Balaam, and Judas

The Bible teaches that God is drawing people to himself through his Word and his Spirit

This is shown in Romans 1:19 that God has shewed unto them all things about himself needed to know him

However, just as a step of faith will lead to more faith given, so a step of rejection will lead to a hard heart of rejection

Corrupted Hearts

They were turned over to the lusts of their hearts

God lets them believe the lie of idolatry

Unclean in the Bible means unacceptable to God, unworthy to come before him

They miss out on the blessing of being part of the family and people of God

God is blessed for ever and ever

God gives eternal blessings, eternal life to those who believe on him (John 3:16)

Corrupted Flesh

A change was allowed that was against nature

It was not what God had planned in creation of man and woman

It is a fruitless relationship void of God and his blessings

God will bring ultimate consequence to them through this wicked act

Corrupted Minds

They were turned over to things that are not convenient for society

They no longer can think in regards to moral, right or good things but are given over to wickedness

They are filled with wickedness and foolishness because they ignored the knowledge of God

Being filled is present continuous tense

The beginning of knowledge is the fear of God (Proverbs 1:7)

Proverbs 9:10 knowing God brings understanding

They are turned over to death and destruction

They know judgment is coming from God yet continue in the sin

They also have pleasure in bringing others into their sin and separating people from God

We must be aware that our decisions of today will affect us for eternity. How are we responding to God’s drawing and convicting?

We are filling ourselves up with something today.