Romans - Week 3

Purity

READ

Romans 1:26-27

26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

Paul continues to tell what God did with those who knew He existed but would not worship nor thank Him. Such people became sexually perverted. It is not difficult today to find headlines and news items that tell of this perversion. The Bible calls this perversion “sin.” Some may try to twist the Scriptures to mean something else, but God’s Word is clear concerning what He thinks of it. His inspired written word says in Hebrews 13:4, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”

REFLECT

Think of the importance of sexual purity. This should be true for a single person (fornication refers to illicit sex by an unmarried person). Sexual purity should also be true of a married person (adultery refers to an being unfaithful in marriage). Sexual purity is a key way a Christ-follower honors God.

RESPOND

Read Ephesians 4:17-24 that tells of Paul’s appeal to believers not to live like other Gentiles but to put off their corrupt past and live as new creations in Christ.

Haters of God

READ

Romans 1:28-30

28 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. 29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents.

Does God ever abandon anyone? This passage reveals He does. He rejects those who reject Him. He loves everyone and desires that all would repent and come to Him as 2 Peter 3:9 says. But not all do and He allows them to go their own way. Those who reject Him go into all kinds of radical ungodly behavior. While nothing is new under the sun, as the book of Ecclesiastes points out, these even “invent” new ways of sinning. Today’s advanced technology can be used by unbelievers for all kinds of wickedness.

REFLECT

The fact that you are reading this on the Internet, perhaps with a smart phone, reveals that advanced technology can also be used for the cause of Christ. Even though the same Gospel is proclaimed as in the past, today’s technology enables an immediate outreach to the masses. Give thanks to the Lord for the multiple ways to reach others.

RESPOND

Read Proverbs 1:24-31 to see an example of those who refuse to hear and obey God and are abandoned by Him. Some people are sensitive to spiritual matters but wish to put off making a decision to trust in Christ. Remind them of 2 Corinthians 6:2 that says “Today is the day of salvation.” An accident or some other means of sudden death could end the person’s opportunity to make a decision for Christ.

The Heartless

READ

Romans 1:31-32

31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. 32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

Paul continues to write about those who do not worship God nor are thankful to Him. Because they reject God they have no standard for right and wrong. They usually boast about being tolerant but are not tolerant to anyone who disagrees with them. Even though they know they are in the wrong before a holy God, they continue to practice wickedness. Not only that, but they also encourage others to imitate their sinfulness. 

REFLECT

Can you think of some who might fit the category of persons Paul was writing about in this first chapter of Romans? Remember that Jesus loves them and died for them also. Pray for them.

RESPOND

Do you sometimes think that people like those Paul wrote about could never change? Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 to see that some of the Corinthians were like this and what it took to cause their change.

No Excuse

READ

Romans 2:1-2

1 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things.

The readers of Romans were likely feeling superior to those Paul wrote about in chapter 1. Now he turns to them to accuse them of being no better. Later he will write in Romans 3:23 that all have sinned and come short of God’s glory. So the lesson that needs learning is not to be condemning others when you are guilty of the same things. God is just, so He must give out the same punishment to all who are characterized by the same sins.

REFLECT

Think about how desperately you need God’s grace. This will help you to be more empathetic to those who fall short of God’s high standards.

RESPOND

Why do you think some have such a hard time forgiving others? Read Ephesians 4:30-31. You and your disciple should pray that others—and yourselves—will realize how much everyone needs God’s forgiveness. This will help you to be more forgiving of others with whom you disagree.

Patient God

READ

Romans 2:3-4

3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? 4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

Paul reminds his readers that sometimes God’s judgment is delayed. And for those for whom it is delayed, they need to realize that is an indication of God’s patience in giving them time to turn from their sins. God was not approving of their situation at present but wanted them to turn to Him from their evil lifestyles. God wanted them to see how wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient He is with them.

REFLECT

Does this passage help you to be more compassionate toward others who are dealing with darkness in their lives? As a Christ-follower, thank the Lord that He has paid the penalty of sin for you and now you have the indwelling Holy Spirit to help you overcome the power of sin in your life.

RESPOND

Spend time with your disciple talking about the sinful nature of every human being since Adam poisoned the stream of humanity by sinning in the Garden of Eden. Look at such Bible passages as Genesis 3 that record how Adam went his own way instead of God’s way and this was his sin. See also Romans 5:12 that will be examined later. Help your disciple to see that people cannot know they have need of salvation in Jesus unless they know they are a sinner. This should be explained with a heart of compassion.