Study 8-Romans 1:24-25

READ:

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

24Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.

25For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Discuss:

Verse 24 -

What does it mean that God gave them over?

We see in the rest of the verse what God gave them over to:

Impure lust of their hearts, and so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.; what does the lusts of their hearts to impurity mean?

What does that their bodies would be dishonored among them mean?

Verse 25 -

What does the word exchanged mean?

How do you worship and serve the creature instead of the creator?

Did anyone find this benediction odd here, “creator, who is blessed forever. AMEN”, or did you even notice it?

Why would Paul put this doxology here of all places?

APPLICATION:

Paul is writing to the Church in Rome specifically about those who are unbelievers in an incredibly sensual and hedonistic society:

Has our society changed or is it the same?

Do people, acquaintencances, family who you know who are consumed with this type of lifestyle upset you, and make it hard to share Jesus with them?

How did Jesus share who He was and care for individuals consumed with tis lifestyle; don’t give examples of what you think, give specific examples from scripture.

How then should we care and share?

Have you ever rationalized and convinced yourself that GOD was ok with one of your sins just so you could try and make yourself feel better or enjoy what you actually knew was wrong but wanted to do it anyway?

Do we as BELIEVERS still struggle with this (Rom 7)? Are there areas of your life where you have rationalized and compromised and are in the process of “EXCHANGING” God’s truth for Man’s lie? If so what must you ruthlessly do about it immediatley?

Paul reminds us with this little phrase doxology of God’s eternal greatness and majesty. HOW can you praise God for who HE IS right now? Are you able to praise GOD for HIS unrelanting holiness that incessantly like a surgeons scalple cuts sin from your life?