LEARNING DAILY

Romans 1:28, Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.

There is danger in taking a single verse of Scripture and trying to make it mean something different from the context it is found in. The emphasis of this Saturday morning page of the blog is to think about those who “did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God.” God gave enough evidence to believe and follow Him (Romans 1: 18-20); no one has an excuse to reject Him. Romans 1:21-23 shows that those who do reject Him fall further into foolish thinking as they try to justify their attitude. In His wrath, God does something that is not expected – He gives them over to be consumed by the things they desire. That happens only on this side of eternity. He gives those who reject Him free reign to do what they want; that comes with all the painful consequences that come with their choices.

The King James Version of the Bible uses the word “reprobate” to describe a “depraved mind.” A reprobate is one who continually rejects God and His commandments. This results in God taking away His grace and giving them over to their sinful desires. A reprobate mind is about one who has a hardened heart that resists the Holy Spirit and grows harder; more to the point, the reprobate is on who continually sins and is not going to change.

Let me write one more thing about the “depraved” mind. This person persists in their immoral beliefs and behavior despite knowing God’s truth. They call “evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20).  Not only do they disregard God’s truth they are okay with the wickedness of others (Romans 1:32). They have no fear of God nor in the divine consequences. Therefore, their conscience senses no guilt nor believe there is a need to repent.

So, why write about this today; it is not very uplifting! As Believers, we need to be understanding the times we live in. The guy on the radio talk show yesterday called the days we love in “dark,” and they are getting worse. I have trouble understanding what just happened in New York City. Do the people there really believe the person they elected to be mayor will be able to do any of the promises he made during his campaign? Government run this, government run that. People believe more government is good. No, that is socialism; it does not work for good! My good friend, writing under the name IRA Paine wrote, “They'll soon be wallowin' in the mire of their own makin'.” Does anyone understand the implications of electing a Moslem to run this city? What about the Government shutdown? Just look at the mess that has been created for families who depend on government pay checks and the problems created at airports. Selfishness and “mudslinging” between political parties has led to terrible situations. “They were[are] filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless” (Romans 1:29-31). “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. or people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Sounds like a description of today’s world! A depraved mind? Perhaps God has given people over to what they think they want because they no longer look to Him to be their provider and have chosen men to follow instead. There is much to be learned from the Old Testament Israel!