Romans 1

Just reading the first few verses, I am totally excited! This book is filled with so many truths and Paul's love for the gentiles and his unwavering devotion to God. Paul never could get to the Roman church he so loved. This epistle - this letter - is the closest he got. Paul was a roman himself, a second generation pharisee before his conversion on the road. He most likely was martyred under Nero's reign.


Also, an interesting note, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible." 2 Cor. 12:10 Paul was not a good looking man...I guess you can't have it all. LOL


Romans is not, by any means, politically correct. Paul states in no uncertain terms what is considered depravity in the sight of God. Paul mentions a few times in this chapter that God "gave them over" to their sins. This means: the wrath of abandonment, which is removing restraint and letting people go to pursue their sin and its consequences. I have known such wrath. Better this wrath and be able to repent and return to and enjoy once again a loving relationship with God.

One of those, "God gave them over": "God gave them over to degrading passions, for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward on another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error." v. 26-27

I quote this verse for two reasons. 1. The obvious, I think. This the number one topic of debate in this state or maybe not even debate but giving total and complete acceptance to this sin. The pros for this keep bringing up this countries prior bans on "inter-racial" marriages. The difference is that the Bible never mentions a sin between a man and a woman of different races - but quite the opposite; where it very much mentions the sin amongst same sex.

And 2. "Paul mentions women first to show the extent of debauchery under the wrath of abandonment, because in most cultures women are the last to be affected by moral collapse." J. MacArthur. Wow! What does that say about the day that we are living.

But let's end on a good note, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..."v. 16

Have a Blessed Day!