Romans 1:26-28 (NKJV) 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
Before we move forward with today’s message, I want to state up front that this is a very difficult devotional to write. Not because I wrestle with the topic or the content, but because I know this can be a very hard group of verses for some to embrace.
With that said, let me reassure you that this is not being written in condemnation or any vitriolic sentiment. It is not.
It is being written because these verses state very obvious truths that some have a hard time accepting.
But truth is truth regardless of our opinions or preferences. A group of words is written or spoken with a specific purpose and a specific meaning. How we feel about those words does not change their meaning.
The color red is red, no matter what our opinion is. 2+2=4 no matter what we might try to say to change that. Some things are just absolutes, with no way around what they stand for.
And such is the case with the verses above.
With all of that said, let’s move forward.
Homosexuality is a hotly-debated topic in many circles today. We are not here to give you our opinion on it. We are here to share what God’s word says about it.
In these verses and others, it is clearly stated that it is unnatural (not normal, or acceptable in God’s eyes).
In the verses above, it also states that those who continue in these practices will be given over (abandoned by God), to receive the “penalty of their error”.
Is “penalty of their error” a literal, physical striking down by God? Not always.
Most times it is a natural process of sowing and reaping. When we sow unrighteousness, we reap from those choices.
Being involved in something that is unrighteous can be a difficult thing to escape, especially if it’s something that we have been involved in for a long period of time. It can also be difficult to escape if peer pressure is involved, causing us to resist leaving it because we’re afraid of what others will think or that we may lose some people we consider to be friends.
But let me state very plainly that if we love God, and we desire to do what is pleasing and right in His eyes, we will push all hinderances aside and run as fast and as far as we can from the sins that entangle us.
We know that most people reading this will readily agree with what is being said. But we also know that some will hesitate to embrace it. Others will outright disagree with it.
For those who hesitate, or those who strongly disagree, we implore you to read and re-read the verses above and consider them seriously with an open heart, with no influence from outside of what is being plainly stated in God’s word.
Shut out the voices that will try to persuade you that it doesn’t mean exactly what it says.
Listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit, who will lead you and guide you to the truth.
And remember; the truth will set us free, but only if we embrace that truth and take action based on what that truth teaches us.
Be free today, in Jesus’ name.
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443
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Greetings in the name of Jesus! 