WHEN GOD GIVES UP

Romans 1:26-32 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 recompense 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.

Ungodly, unrighteous philosophers seemed to be extremely prevalent in Rome, Athens, Ephesus, and other European, Asian, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian cities during this period of history. Paul probably had to contend with them on numerous occasions as he did on Mars Hill in Athens (See Acts 17). They were polytheistic in nature, worshiping as many gods as was necessary to justify their worldly wisdom. Idols were created to represent these numerous gods. Many religious writings, objects, and statues have been, and are still being uncovered by archaeologists that prove the prevalence of idolatry. Over time, the idolatry of a nation of people would develop into a mythological structure that covered all facets of human life, and promoted and justified all kinds of sinful, human behavior.

The Old Testament is filled with references to the idolatry prevalent in the land of Canaan. With good references we can find many passages that tell of the worship of Baal, Asherah, Molech, Chemosh, Milcom, Remphan, Nehushtan, and many others having similar spellings of these names. Most of the worship ceremonies to these idol gods included and promoted all types of worldly sins against the true God of Israel. All types of sin, immorality, fornication, etc. are associated with such idol worship. God's word, as well as historical documentation, tells about the murder and sacrifice of children to appease and establish favor with the gods of Molech and Chemosh. The depths of sin brought about by idol worship, indeed, had no limits.

The God of heaven, our Creator, is a jealous God. The Old Testament specifically states, Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Ex. 20:3). In New Testament times, Paul preached to the church at Ephesus that there are no other gods. Rather, there is only one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Eph. 4:6). However, the failure of mankind to accept God as the Creator results in failure to accept God as the Author of eternal salvation. When this occurs, the wisdom of man takes control. Worldly wisdom has no boundaries. It expands to fill the imaginations of all men and women of the world; it totally consumes the minds of all mankind. The primary result of idolatry makes void the spiritual wisdom of God, which must be accepted by faith. It is replaced with a tangible, humanly devised "religion" that can be seen with the human eye. Idolatry allows any sinful action or desire of mankind to be justified. All that is necessary is to "invent a god to worship" - an idol god designed to approve it.

Reading the lesson text again, we find the moral description of those that refuse to accept God as the Giver of life and the Author of eternal salvation. The first 6 verses of the lesson text (Vss. 26b-31) describe the depths of sin and immorality mankind can descend to without God's wisdom to guide them. It is God's judgment ...that they which commit such things are worthy of death. God neither imposes sinfulness or righteousness on the life of anyone. As free moral agents, people chose their own lifestyle. When does God give up on mankind? When they disregard His will and become unrepentant sinners. However, the lowest of sins God will forgive if one will but turn to Him, obey His will, and live a faithful life as one of his obedient children. Rest assured that God only gives up on us when we give up on Him.