Romans 1:24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.
In the past week, we have considered the contrast between those in whom the wrath of God is revealed and those in whom the love of God is revealed. Circumstances and relationships bring out what our hearts desire. Paul told the Romans that there is objective evidence that someone abides in the wrath of God. In this verse, the Spirit says, and Paul wrote, that God does not restrain the desires in their hearts—they are drawn toward impurity so that they dishonor their bodies. We should not be surprised because if they dishonor God, wouldn’t they also dishonor their bodies made in His image? The point here is that there are no boundaries to their lusts, which Paul will explain in the next few verses. God shows they are under His wrath by giving them over to the lusts or desires of their hearts.
This is also true of those who are united with Christ by faith. God also gives them over to the desires of their hearts. However, rather than lusting for satisfaction from impure use of their bodies, those who are justified by faith in Christ, desire to find satisfaction in pleasing God with their bodies. They desire to express the love of Jesus to those around them. Today, God will orchestrate circumstances and relationships in your life, then He will give you over to what your heart desires—to love with Jesus. In loving with Him, you’ll find great freedom, joy, and satisfaction. As you live to love, the righteousness of God is being revealed on your behalf for the glory of God.
Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
