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."
