Abandoned

ABANDONED

Romans 1:21-28

The word abandoned connotes moral unrestraint,

something given up by the owner, chucked or

deserted.

Abandoned houses, children, and hope are sad

scenes indeed. The saddest scene is to see a

soul apparently abondoned by God.

Conversely, when folk abandon God, He

gives them up to their own counsel as

indicated in Psalm 81:12. It says, "So I

gave them up to their own hearts’ lust:

and they walked in their own counsels

[KJV]."

Now, there is a downward way that consists of

a turning away from God and developing some

harmful things in one’s life. Things such as

lustful hearts, idolarty, and the uncleaness ment-

tioned in verse 24 of our text. Verses 26 and 28

tell of the reprobate mind that indulges in unnat-

ural affections, depraved thoughts and actions.

The book of James elucidates the detrimental

effects ocherestrated by the above actions.

Chapter one and verses fourteen and fifteen

(KJV) state, "But every man is tempted when

he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed

[solicitation to evil]. Then when lust hath con-

ceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it

is finished, bringeth forth death."

Few cultures, if any, in Biblical and World

History have escaped the hurtful and down-

ward spiral into gross idolatry. Please

allow me to include a list; albeit, not an

exhaustive one.

Adam’s fall

Ur of the Chaldees

Noah’s day

Nimrod/Land of Shinar

Babel

Nebuchadnezer/Babylon

Assyria, Philistia, Amon

Moab, Edom

Egyptians

Greeks

Romans

Norsemen

Far Eastern Cultures

Peruvians

Early American Indians (great spirit)

Most of these, from the list above, indulged in

child sacrifice, male prostitution, beastialty,

and other heinous sexual perversions.

Paul the Apostle spoke of these things, and

worse, as being so ungodly that they should

not be mentioned (Ephesians 5:3).

Let us quickly move from consideration of

the downward way to the upward way.

Romans chapter thirteen and verse four-

teen is the springboard for initial approach

to the subject of the upward way. "But

[rather, yet nevertheless] put ye on the

Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision

for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."

The thought is continued efficaciously in

2 Corinthians 7:1 (KJV), "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse

ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and

spirit, perfecting [Greek-epiteleo (ep-ee-tel-eh’-o),

to accomplish substantively] holiness in the

fear of God."

One may justifiably ask, "What promises?"

A portion of the answer to that question is

found in 2 Corinthians 6:17,18 (KJV). The

verses promise that if we will separate

ourselves from wordly lusts, and not touch

the unclean thing; then, the Lord will

receive us. He will also be a father to us.

Additionally, we can become His sons and

daughters.

Believers are made free from sin through the

glorious love of God. That love and the shed

blood of Jesus the Christ brings reconciliation

to the righteous heavenly Father. The Lord

continues the work by justifying, purifying,

and glorifying the true believers.

In closing we can gladly affirm that the

shocking evil of physical, spiritual, and

sexual perversion can be overcome.

How? By the love of God demonstrated

in Romans 6:16-23 (KJV). There the following

truth is to be found. "Know ye not, that to whom ye

yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to

whom ye obey; whether of sin unto, or of obedience unto

righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the

servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that

form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made

free from yhou sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of

your flesh; for as ye have yielded your members servants to

righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants

of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye

then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the

end of those things [is] death. But now beingh made free

from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit

unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of

sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through

Jesus Christ our Lord."