Romans 1:28-32 – And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
The Bible is not an old book. The Bible is an eternal book. Old books get outdated. Eternal books are always timely. In this prophetic section of Romans, we learn what not just what used to happen, but what always happening. Ask yourself if this sounds familiar:
Step 1 – reject God as repressive, outdated, and limiting our progress
Step 2 – reject parents and older generations as repressive, outdated, limiting our freedom toward progress
Step 3 – feed a debased mind that claims wisdom and liberation from outdated beliefs and behaviors
Step 4 – rebel by dismantling all external morality and authority beyond yourself
Step 5 – align with other rebels and militantly defend one another as a mob
Step 6 – tear down institutions that carry forth opposing values in the name of justice
Step 7 – pressure everyone to approve of/support/endorse your rebellion or face your wrath
Which of the sins Paul lists are actually considered virtues and not vices today?
To find the free Romans study guide for individuals and small groups, hear Pastor Mark’s entire sermon series on Romans, or find a free mountain of Bible teaching visit realfaith.com or download the Real Faith app.