".....God Gave Them Up"

 When man refuses to see the abundant proof of God's eternal power and divine attributes in the created world, he "glorifies Him not as God, neither is thankful" (Romans 1:21). In reading Romans 1:20, we learn that God has a divine nature. All who recognize God's divine nature, glorify Him with the honor so justly due Him, and reckon themselves subject to Him (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18).

Such a respect for the Creator has a sobering effect upon mankind. We understand that "we live, and more, and have our being" (Acts 17:28) in His presence; aware that "all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13 KJV). Perhaps this is basis enough to conclude that except we walk "circumspectly" before Him (Ephesians 5:15), we "sin against Heaven" and must repent (Acts 17:28-30).

When man denies the presence of the eternal and divine God (does not like to retain God in his knowledge - Romans 1:28a), God gives him up to (1) "uncleanness"; (2) "vile affections"; and (3) "a reprobate mind" (Romans 1:24,26,28 KJV). We might say that God allows man to "stew in his own juices" or reap the consequences of his own folly (Gal. 6:7-8).

Man is incomplete without God (Jeremiah 10:23). On this basis alone, we should be able to plainly see that "righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people" (Proverbs 14:34 ESV). There is no satisfactory substitute for faith in and respect for God (Hebrews 11:6; Ecclesiastes 12:13). A nation that tries to substitute fear of punishment, respect for law, or patriotism to upgrade the morals of the state and its citizens, in place of faith in God and respect for God, will ultimately fail.

Godless evolution and other materialistic concepts which enthrone human reasoning and seek to leave God out of society, must bear much of the blame for our amoral and immoral society. On the surface, religions and churches which place stress upon an internal social welfare system, seem to very relevant, with the intent of solving social problems. However, they divert the attention and resources of the church's chief function — "to seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10).

The phrases, "God gave them up" and "God gave them over" (Romans 1:28), are terrible refrains for any society. God's action is judicial, using sin to punish the sinner (Romans 1:26-31). However, when man does recognize and respect His Creator, he is ready to "hear" His word, and honor Him (Daniel 4:34-37).

Dear reader, as God's people, let us resolve to do the same (cf. Nehemiah 8:1-12; Jeremiah 42:1-6).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets