Do you know of any parents that have dealt with unruly children? They love their children and have attempted to express their love in various ways; yet, the child continues to rebel against their values causing increasing havoc? At times, when parents have no other option they have to painfully allow their child to “live life” which will likely lead to all sorts of problems. However, the child may see it as “freedom” because they can do whatever they want. Yet, in the end, they may realize, they were deceived and wasted much of their life.
Unfortunately, some of us have experienced this in life and could testify it is not an easy process. However, we are not the first, God was the first to experience this with His creation. While reading Romans 1:18, 24 we get a sober reminder of how many of God’s creatures are rebelling against Him.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth…Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves” (Rom. 1:18,24).
By reading the above verse, what is “ungodliness and unrighteousness”? The Greek term for ungodliness is described as “a bold irreverence”. In other words, this term illustrates enormous contempt for God Himself. As a result of this ungodliness, it pours into unrighteousness. Unrighteousness is violating God standards, opposing what is right and just. Some examples in our time of “bold irreverent behavior” is the celebration of “gay pride”, gross immorality, the rampant rebellion of the youth against authority, etc.
God created man for woman. However, what does man do? Pump his fists at God, not only engaging in homosexual activity but designates a month to celebrate it! God created sexual relations between husband and wife. What does man do? Not only does he/she engage in casual serial sex, but also produce pornographic materials, encourage promiscuity and immorality throughout entertainment media and etc. What is frightening is the majority who live these types of lifestyles do not know they are experiencing a foretaste of God’s wrath.
When Paul writes, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven”, this phrase is linked to “God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves”. As a result of suppressing the truth (properly “reality”), God hands them over to what they want. What all humans “want” in our fallen flesh is some form of impurity. As a result of being handed over to impurity, it confirms us in our condemnation (John 3:19; 2 Thes. 2:11-12). Impurity is simply “unclean” behavior. Some of which is exemplified in the above paragraph. I would suggest within this idea of “God gave them up” would also include “unclean spirits” that would lock into unclean flesh that would “empower” the individual to remain in their bondage/corruption. In short, it is terrifying to be handed over to our fleshly desires.
We get a picture of this with the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). He demanded his inheritance from his father which was “bold irreverence”. In order to receive his inheritance, his father would have to be dead. In other words, the prodigal was saying, “Father, you are dead to me”. The father gave the son what he wanted and he went off to live a riotous life. After a time of “wild living”, he came to his “senses” and came back to his father and said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you” (Luke 15:18).
When you read the story, it shows the rebellion of the son, the father giving (or handing over) the son to what he wanted, and the return of the son to the father after he squandered his life. With the Father being merciful and loving, he received him back. This is a picture that many of us can relate to.
May we be reminded of the terrors of ungodliness and unrighteousness and avoid being turned over to the lusts of our hearts. Yet, may we be thankful for a loving God that will receive us back when we turn from our rebellion.
