December 11, 2023 -- Romans 1:28-32 -- The stench of the world and the fragrance of Christ

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And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
Romans 1:28-32 ESV

What a list! It is a tsunami of wretchedness. It is so ugly little wonder that many Christians briefly read over it, give thanks they are not all those things, and keep going in their reading of Romans. Not so fast. Consider this scenario. You are a Christian and your friend from church is in line for a promotion. He has put in all the hours necessary. He fits all the qualifications. Then job is awarded to the just-graduated-from-college nephew of the boss. Your friend spills all his uncensored feelings out to you. He is full of envy and his words are heartless. Rather than point out his sin, you give approval to the feelings. You both are complicit in sin. You—though you know God’s righteous decree—are now acting as wickedly as do the sexually immoral and those who do not, by their actions, acknowledge God.

How many denominations know the sin of this age and rather than preach against it, give approval to those who practice such abominations. Worse even, give a place in leadership to those whose wickedness rises like a smoldering stench to the heavens. Before you start raging, consider this. The Bible teaches God hates divorce. The sins of our society are so far gone that this is rarely spoken of or considered. There is a sense that the debasing of humanity is far past that already, there is among Christians hardly any need at all to speak of or repent of divorce. Yet it is evidence that God has given men and women up to their lusts and to debased actions.

Perhaps we, in our churches and Christian circles, are not as effective for the Gospel as we are called to be for these reasons. First, the focus of our preaching and vitriol is all too often outward and there is too little self-examination. It is the work of the Spirit to light the lamp of Christ’s redeeming love such that the cesspools of our heart are exposed and can be drained. To the humble and contrite in heart who tremble at God's word, this will resonate as shockingly true.

Second, the listed sins include being complicit with those who practice evil. Supposedly it is funny, edgy, for children to be disobedient to parents. Media highlights all kinds of humorous posts showing humorous disobedience, but these comedic clips undermine true righteousness. They break down one’s sense of right and wrong.

Third, evil is so prevalent, it is in the shows we watch, the bias of news, in our culture's festivals and activities, part of the court system, built into the greed of the markets and so on. There is so much evil that Christians are hardly aware of it. Until they enter the sanctuary of God and hear the Word and breath in the fragrance of Christ. That is when the ugliness of all that surrounds us is exposed.

We are inclined to sigh things like “Holiness is hard work”. Or, “We are in Christ. Isn’t that enough?” There is a lethargy about our faith—a lukewarmness that is all together too much like that of the Laodiceans. Though Christ the Savior is knocking on the door of every Christian heart, seeking to enter and help the Christian overcome the world, too many Christians are already eschewing His invitation and chewing on the sweet morsels of the world.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. By the powerful work of Your Spirit expose the sinfulness of our hearts and the slothfulness of our minds. Spirit of Truth turn off the world’s pervasive elevator muzak which fills us with soothing sludge. Triune God, giver of life, glory and blessedness in Christ, renew in us a deep desire for all that is holy, true, and honourable. We confess this will take a profound reorientation of our tastes and preferences and habits. Help us to hear the persistent knocking of King Jesus at the door of our hearts and Spirit move us to welcome Him in so that by Your power we will with Christ conquer the sins that overwhelm us. Spirit of God lead us to overcome the world in the strength of Jesus Who conquered and sits down on the Father’s throne. Amen.

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