Romans 1:21-32:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
When we read a chapter like Romans 1 and realize that we’ve personally partaken in the corruption of this world, we may feel disgust and self-loathing. Yet through God’s grace, the holy Spirit convicts us of our guilt and drives us to the Christ for salvation.
With out a risen savior, we would be left to bear the incredibly heavy yoke of sin and self-hatred, but when we recognize God’s love for us through Christ, we are lifted out of the pits of despair. Through Christ we are empowered to prevail in an upside-down world.
When we see that the God of all creation sent his perfect, sinless, Son, Jesus Christ, to take the punishment that we deserve, and resurrected Him from the dead, we bow our knees to the Lord and are risen with him in this life and at the last day.
Of course, we’ll continually wrestle with sin in our lives and we’ll go through periods of doubt, sadness, shame, and self-loathing. But when we dry our tears, we can turn to the balm of a psalm for our healing and rest. If we seek Him faithfully, searching the scriptures daily, He will be faithful to not leave our souls in hell.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Psalm 103:8
All glory be to God the Father.
Photo Credit: Inga Gazalian - Unsplash.com