Romans is a powerful and complex book. It is philosophically deep and morally challenges us to a higher ground. It paints for us the picture of the bleakness of man's sinfulness and the shining hope of God's love, heave and mercy. This first chapter jumps right in describing the problem of humanity.
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.
Romans 1:21
Paul describes a downward spiral into moral chaos that starts at this point: 1) not recognizing and glorifying God as God and 2) not thanking God.
Thankfulness and gratefulness toward God are absolute cornerstones for our lives that, according to this passage, keep our mind and heart clear and free to recognize the truth.
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.
Romans 1:21, 32 NIV
The spiral of moral depravity spins downward as those who do wrong become brazen, feel no shame and encourage others to follow.
We are all susceptible to this pull. When we read this, most, including myself, immediately think that this refers to "those other bad people" and not us.
The truth is that each person is on this slippery slope. There are sins that we become numb to, things like speeding, gossip, anger, lying, and we dismiss their gravity, continue in them and encourage others to join us because "everybody does it. "
We all need to take stock of where we are and seek God's mercy and forgiveness.
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