Is This the World We Live In Today?
26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27In 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. 28Furthermore, 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. 29They 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, 30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32Although 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.
Romans 1:26-32 (NIV)
In Romans 1:26-32, Paul paints a grim picture of the consequences of rejecting God and embracing idolatry. The wickedness now spreads from individuals to communals. He describes a society characterized by sexual immorality, debased thinking, and a wide range of sinful behaviors. Moreover, he notes that people not only engage in these practices but also give approval to others who do the same.
As we look at our own society, it’s not difficult to see some of these same patterns emerging. The abandonment of God’s design for human sexuality, the celebration of sin, and the suppression of moral truth are increasingly prevalent. The manifestations of idolatry and immorality that Paul lists—sexual immorality, greed, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, and more—are not only historical accounts but also current headlines. Paul’s reference to gossip, slander, insolent, arrogant, and boastful behaviors can be seen in the fracturing of family units and the often toxic discourse in social media and political realms.
It’s important to recognize that this moral decline is not a new phenomenon. Throughout history, societies that have turned away from God have experienced similar descents into wickedness. However, the rapid acceleration of this process in our own time, fueled by technological advancements and the widespread rejection of biblical values, is truly concerning.
At the same time, we must be careful not to adopt a posture of self-righteousness or to view ourselves as somehow immune to these temptations. The reality is that we all have sinful natures and are capable of falling into the same patterns of behavior described in Romans 1. It is only by God’s grace and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit that we can resist these temptations and live in a manner pleasing to Him.
So, while it’s true that our society is experiencing a profound moral decline, we must remember that God’s plan of redemption remains available to all who turn to Him in faith. As Christians, we are called to be salt and light in this world, living out the gospel message and pointing others to the hope that can be found in Christ alone.
In conclusion, the parallels between Romans 1:26-32 and our contemporary society are indeed striking. As godlessness increases, we can expect to see a continued descent into wickedness. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that God’s grace is sufficient to transform even the most hardened hearts. Let us pray for our society, live out our faith with conviction, and trust in the power of the gospel to bring hope and healing to our broken world.
In light of the increasing godlessness and wickedness in society, how can you cultivate a deeper sense of reliance on God and His grace? What spiritual disciplines or practices can you engage in to strengthen your faith and maintain a biblical perspective amidst the challenges of the world?
I have found that the best way to cultivate a deeper sense of reliance on God and His grace is through the daily, consistent practice of the spiritual disciplines of being in His Word, in prayer, in fellowship, and by being of service both within the body of Christ as well as within the surrounding community in whatever way I am able. His Word reminds me of who He is, as well as who I am in light of that, and of His glorious redemptive plan for His people. Prayer reminds me of His sovereign reign and my utter dependence upon Him for all things. Fellowship reminds me that I am not alone, and that we do this thing together, as one body of Christ. Being of service reminds me that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God with all our mind, heart, strength, and soul, which manifests in loving one another and our neighbor as ourselves. I would say that all of these practices, put into action one day at a time, have helped to strengthen my faith and maintain a biblical perspective among the challenges of this life and world in progressively amazing ways!😁
As I study His Words every day and I keep Him constantly in my sight and I pray and I think about how His Words can be applied in my daily life, I find myself more and more attuned to the Father and better at resisting “wickedness”.
I do have some thoughts about this wicked world. I feel that today society weaponize righteousness to condemn others and put up barriers instead of trying to pull everyone together. Jesus doesn’t turn away or condemn out of hand. Jesus warned against it in Mathew 7:1-2 and Paul said in 1Cor 13:1-3 that without love even actions that seem righteous are meaningless. I feel that there is too much politics in religion today. Politics is the domain of Cesar and should be left to Cesar. Instead of standing on moral ground and yelling down at people, it would be better to walk down into the muck with open and helping arms to support people when they fall and help them climb up. God meets us where we are and to be like Him we should also have similar grace . Now that I find so much joy and peace in God, I feel sad about the state of affair of men and the dangerous divisiveness in this world.