Romans: Rooted in Jesus, Degrading Passions, Debased Mind

Sunday, we’ll continue in Romans 1, as the Apostle Paul unpacks the revelation of God’s wrath. The great “religious monstrosity” (John Murray) of worshipping created things rather than the Creator, results in God giving mankind over, as he says, “in the lusts of their hearts to impurity.” Notice something important here, God turns mankind over to the desires of his heart. Moral corruption flows out of inordinate desires leading to impurity, specifically impure actions. That’s important because the Apostle isn’t just condemning sinful actions, but corrupt desires. (See James 1:14)

He explains this “giving over” in two arenas: “dishonorable passions…debased mind.” The passions that are dishonorable center on going against the sexual order that God created, specifically engagement in homosexual behavior. The mind that is reprobate or has completely turned against God is filled with all kinds of vice, or as Paul says, “all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice.” What’s increasingly troubling is that they promote these vices even though they know God’s judgment.

This is the backdrop of the gospel, the good news revealed amid this evil. These are the very people God reveals the gospel to and who join the family of God by faith! Join us Sunday as we worship God and rejoice in the gospel of Jesus.