God gave them over ...

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For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor their bodies among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. -Romans 1:21-26 NLT

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Is there a more troubling verse in all of holy writ than "God gave them over"? In these few sentences the apostle seems to reflect the sentiments written in the sixth chapter of Genesis when God says that he will not strive with man forever. I do not like to say it but there is time when He who is endless with patience will be patient with our obstinence not longer. The world is filled with those of whom it is plain to see that God has given them over to their unrelenting unbelief.

Many prefer to use the verses that follow these to condemn sexual sins that they are not tempted by. These, when they speak of this chapter, rarely ever mention, as Paul does mention, how God gives people over to covetousness, malice, envy, murder, strife, deceit, hostility, gossip and slander. It is always easier to point to another's sin. Yet the context remains true that some love sinning more than they love God. These exchange the truth and glory of God for a lie.

Help our desires to be your desires Lord. Cause our hearts to always glorify you and give you thanks.

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