Paul had a compulsion to change Rome. At the time of Paul’s writing, Rome was firing on all cylinders. In their mind, Rome was unstoppable. As the “center of civilization” Roman life was the road sign to how to be successful. Sadly, Roman life had spun into chaos.
The refined Republic had become a mess of sin and intrigue. The gladiators were ruling the day and blood lust and destruction were the greatest spectator sport. The institutions of civil society were corrupt and almost unrecognizable. Marriage, family, and life were being devalued by the day.
So, Paul called “the spade a spade” and described the scene as it was. Sadly, it was the same scene enjoyed by thefolks during the time of Noah, Sodom, Gomorrah, Babylon, Persia, and Greece. Paul stated the obvious when he talked about sin’s escalation and the society’s fall into chaos and anarchy.
We are looking through Paul’s telescope into today as well. The world we know could be easily interchanged with the picture Paul saw in the Roman world. The America that proclaimed to be “One nation, under God, indivisible; with liberty and justice for all” just 240 years ago, now stands viscerally divided, screaming out against God, law and order, family, and life. Families, communities, churches, and schools are being torn apart and shot up by those that have no regard for the lives and rights of others.
Paul reminds us that we have traded the truth for a lie! So as a nation, a community, a family, a person understands the Gospel. God loves us and wants to redeem our very precious lives. He wants to restore families. He wants to restore that which is lost and bring freedom for those trapped in the choices to do things apart from God.
We can restore liberty and freedom out of the anarchy and chaos. The only way to do so, however is to walk with the Lord and not away from Him. That is what Paul wanted for Rome and those throughout his world. That is also what the Lord wants for us. Join me in praying for the liberation of people from the chaos and death sin brings.
God Bless You
For the wrath of God is breaking through from heaven, opposing all manifestations of ungodliness and wickedness by the people who do wrong to keep God’s truth in check. 19 These people are not ignorant about what can be known of God, because He has shown it to them with great clarity. 20 From the beginning, creation in its magnificence enlightens us to His nature. Creation itself makes His undying power and divine identity clear, even though they are invisible; and it voids the excuses and ignorant claims of these people 21 because, despite the fact that they knew the one true God, they have failed to show the love, honor, and appreciation due to the One who created them! Instead, their lives are consumed by vain thoughts that poison their foolish hearts. 22 They claim to be wise; but they have been exposed as fools, frauds, and con artists— 23 only a fool would trade the splendor and beauty of the immortal God to worship images of the common man or woman, bird or reptile, or the next beast that tromps along.
24 So God gave them just what their lustful hearts desired. As a result, they violated their bodies and invited shame into their lives. 25 How? By choosing a foolish lie over God’s truth. They gave their lives and devotion to the creature rather than to the Creator Himself, who is blessed forever and ever. Amen. 26-27 This is why God released them to their own vile pursuits, and this is what happened: they chose sexual counterfeits—women had sexual relations with other women and men committed unnatural, shameful acts because they burned with lust for other men. This sin was rife, and they suffered painful consequences.
28 Since they had no mind to recognize God, He turned them loose to follow the unseemly designs of their depraved minds and to do things that should not be done. 29 Their days are filled with all sorts of godless living, wicked schemes, greed, hatred, endless desire for more, murder, violence, deceit, and spitefulness. And, as if that were not enough, they are gossiping, 30 slanderous, God-hating, rude, egotistical, smug people who are always coming up with even more dreadful ways to treat one another. They don’t listen to their parents; 31 they lack understanding and character. They are simple-minded, covenant-breaking, heartless, and unmerciful; they are not to be trusted. 32 Despite the fact that they are fully aware that God’s law says this way of life deserves death, they fail to stop. And worse—they applaud others on this destructive path.
Walking With God 