Sin Exists, But So Does God's Purpose For You

Romans 1: 18- 32

"18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them."

I was reading the following passage today in my quiet time and it really stood out to me. This can help be used to answer the question as to why humanity is still sinful. Paul tells us that it is made plain to us what we know about God. In fact, he says that since the creation of the world we have been able to see God's eternal power and divine nature. What examples of these characteristics have you seen in your life? Even though you couldn't see God's eternal power and divine nature, you knew it was there. This is why Paul tells us there is no excuse for not knowing God, because He is all around us and His attributes can be found in His creation.

What I find interesting is that in verses 21-32, Paul writes in the past tense. But as you're reading, you start to see how this still resembles our society today. Even though we can sin differently now, one thing has never changed: that sin was there. Sin is still evil and we should be able to distinguish what sinful behavior is without having every single example written out for us, although the Bible does give many examples. Even though people in our society know about God, they choose to not glorify or give thanks to Him. Because of this, their thinking becomes worthless and their hearts move farther and farther from the truth. As they move farther from the truth found in gospel, they believe that sin is the truth. "They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-" These same things were written about humanity 2000 years ago and still hold true. And even people now give into their sinful desires because of how darkened their hearts have become. People now choose to worship their favorite celebrities, TV shows, apps, and their phones instead of God. And because they did not choose to know God, in a personal, intimate relationship, they are now paying the price. "Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done." It feels like Paul is trying to get across the point that if you think having God occupy your thoughts is worthless, then your mind is only filled with truly worthless thoughts and will continue to be.

After Paul lists out all the sinful things humanity does, he says "they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." This is exactly what our society is like today. Our society continues to promote sin and support those who follow their "truth." Others who don't comply with this truth are "canceled." Merriam-Webster defines cancel culture as "the practice or tendency of engaging in mass canceling as a way of expressing disapproval and exerting social pressure." Being a Christian is one of the many ways you can be canceled. Sin has a grip on society and will do anything to remove those who pose a threat to it. Even if society disapproves of who you are, remember that it's not the one who defines your worth. It didn't create your purpose. It's not the one who called you to be set apart from what it deems normal. It's hard not to let the pressure of being a failure in society's eyes not get to you, in fact it is much easier said than done. But continue to surround yourself with others that support you and your Jesus-loving heart. Keep reading your Bible. Keep posting about Jesus. If I'm canceled for believing Jesus is my Lord and Savior, I don't care if I'm canceled every second that my life lasts. The Maker of Heaven and Earth created YOU and defines you. Don't let sin tell you who you are. God has given you a purpose, and in fact, He specifically placed you in this world to fulfill it. Don't let society stand in the way of what God created you to do. BE BOLD, because He will equip you with strength and whatever else you may need! Sit down and relax instead of worrying about never measuring up to the world's standards.

Have a great rest of your week!