Romans 1:26-27
The Consequence of Our Choices
Scripture: Romans 1:26-27 (ESV) “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.”
The Devotion: In these verses, Paul continues his discussion on humanity’s rebellion against God, highlighting a specific example of how this rebellion manifests. The passage speaks to a profound truth about the nature of our choices and their consequences. When we choose to reject God’s design and purpose for our lives, we find ourselves spiraling into further disobedience. It’s a vivid illustration of how far we can drift when we let our desires lead us away from God’s intentions. Now notice, Paul isn’t speaking about one people group in particular – when you read this passage in context, he is writing about humanity as a whole. The consequence of people rejecting God’s rule over them, is not primarily that he punishes people, but rather that he removes his restraining hand from them. He hands them over to the their sinful desires as the judgement on their sin. The stark and shocking reality is that the fact that we live in world that is heavily influenced by LGBTQI+ identity politics is a
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result of our society rejecting God. He has started removing his gracious hand that has been restraining this particular type of sin from flourishing.
But this passage isn’t just about sexual ethics; it’s about the heart of all sin—rejecting God’s will for us and pursuing our own paths. Every time we choose our way over God’s, we’re essentially saying we know better than the Creator Himself. This attitude doesn’t just stop with us; it has ripple effects that touch every aspect of our lives, leading us into actions and choices that are not in line with God’s design.
But the story doesn’t end with our rebellion. In the midst of our waywardness, Jesus offers redemption and restoration. He doesn’t just call us back from our sin; He transforms our desires and realigns our hearts with His. Through Christ, we receive grace to walk in newness of life, a life that honors God’s original design and purpose for us.
Prayer: Lord God, we confess that too often, we have gone our own way, ignoring Your design and purpose for our lives. Forgive us for the times we have chosen paths that lead us away from You. Thank You for Jesus, who offers us redemption and the chance to start anew. Help us to align our desires with Yours, to live lives that reflect Your love and truth. Teach us to embrace Your design in every area of our lives, trusting that Your ways are truly best. Amen.
Challenge for the Day: Today, reflect on areas of your life where you might be resisting God’s design and purpose. It could be in your relationships, your work, your personal habits, or your thoughts. Ask God to reveal to you any ways you’ve been going your own way and to help you turn back to His path. Commit to one specific step you can take today to align more closely with God’s design for your life.