Hard Lesson

Some of the recent lessons have been easy read. For example, the last lesson was on heaven; I mean that is easy reading. We all want to visualize it, go there, enjoy the wonders of it. But there are hard reads as well. So we'll try one here today.

Let's do this in reverse. I'll go straight to the point, to the bottom line. This is given in Romans1:32: "..who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." So the bottom line point here is that those who do wrong are deserving of punishment; but not only are they guilty, but those who approve of such sin are guilty also. So we must not sin, nor approve of "those who practice them."

But we all sin, don't we? Why such a condemnation? Perhaps the answer comes in the types of sins, or more likely in the attitude of the one who engages in it. Regarding the latter, there is a difference in the person who willfully sins and doesn't try to repent and the person who sins but is trying to repent and be what he should be.

One might ask what is the sin being discussed here in Romans 1 that the writer is saying is "deserving of death?" First, let me suggest that this isn't advocating death in this life, but rather eternal death would seem to be the point. The reader can read Romans 1:16 through 32 to read the extent of degradation that is being discussed. It starts with homosexuality but becomes much more as the reading goes on.

But the point here is that God expects us to not approve of those who practice all of these things. But of course we are to love them and help them and reach out to them and try to make a difference in their lives. Enough already. Thanks for reading. God bless you every one!