A World Gone Mad: The Tragedy of Moral Depravity (Romans 1)

Heart of a Shepherd

Jun 02, 2023

Translations

Spanish

Un mundo enloquecido: la tragedia de la depravación moral (Romanos 1)

Portuguese

Um Mundo Enlouquecido: A Tragédia da Depravação Moral (Romanos 1)

Korean

미쳐버린 세상: 도덕적 타락의 비극(로마서 1장)

Croatian

Svijet koji je poludio: Tragedija moralne izopačenosti (Rimljanima 1)

German

Eine verrückt gewordene Welt: Die Tragödie der moralischen Verderbtheit (Römer 1)

Japanese

A World Gone Mad: The Tragedy of Moral Depravity (ローマ人への手紙 1)

Persian

جهانی دیوانه شده: تراژدی تباهی اخلاقی (رومیان 1)

Thai

A World Gone Mad: โศกนาฏกรรมแห่งความเสื่อมทรามทางศีลธรรม (โรม 1)

French (Canada)

Un monde devenu fou : La tragédie de la dépravation morale (Romains 1)

Chinese (Traditional)

瘋狂的世界:道德敗壞的悲劇(羅馬書 1)

Tagalog

A World Gone Mad: The Tragedy of Moral Depravity (Roma 1)

Danish

A World Gone Mad: The Tragedy of Moral Depravity (Romerbrevet 1)

Swahili

Ulimwengu Umeenda Wazimu: Janga la Upotovu wa Maadili (Warumi 1)

French

Un monde devenu fou : La tragédie de la dépravation morale (Romains 1)

Chinese (Simplified)

疯狂的世界:道德败坏的悲剧(罗马书 1)

Russian

Мир, сошедший с ума: трагедия нравственной испорченности (Римлянам 1)

Greek

A World Gone Mad: The Tragedy of Moral Depravity (Ρωμαϊκοί 1)

Italian

Un mondo impazzito: la tragedia della depravazione morale (Romani 1)

Hindi

ए वर्ल्ड गॉन मैड: द ट्रेजेडी ऑफ मोरल डिप्राविटी (रोमियों 1)

Swedish

A World Gone Mad: The Tragedy of Moral Depravity (Romarna 1)

Romanian

O lume înnebunită: Tragedia depravației morale (Romani 1)

Vietlabelse

A World Gone Mad: Bi kịch của sự sa đọa về đạo đức (Rô-ma 1)

Malay

A World Gone Mad: Tragedi Kebejatan Moral (Roma 1)

Urdu

ایک دنیا پاگل ہوگئی: اخلاقی پستی کا المیہ (رومن 1)

Dutch

Een gek geworden wereld: de tragedie van morele verdorvenheid (Romeinen 1)

Arabic

عالم جن جنونه: مأساة الفساد الأخلاقي (رومية 1)

Ukrainian

Світ, який зійшов з розуму: трагедія моральної розбещеності (Римлянам 1)

Haitian Creole

A World Gone Mad: Trajedi depravasyon moral la (Women 1)

Hebrew

A World Gone Mad: The Tragedy of Moral Depravity (Roms 1)

A World Gone Mad: The Tragedy of Moral Depravity (Romans 1)

Scripture reading - Romans 1

 

This devotional is a follow-up to my earlier introduction to Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, and one I believe the importance of chapter 1 warrants. Paul’s letter to believers in Rome expressed not only his love for them, but also his longing to fellowship with them for a season (1:10-11).



Though his journey to Rome had been prevented (1:12-14), Paul assured the believers, “So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (1:15-16).



Paul was aware of the dark clouds of persecution already visible on the horizon, and would soon engulf the Roman empire. Tens of thousands of believers would be sent to martyrs’ deaths, and Paul felt an urgency to ground them in the faith.

The Sin of Man, and the Wrath of God (1:18-21)



We find in the balance of Romans 1, a depth and breadth of fundamental truths that humanity denies, but are universally shown. While men deny the evidences of the Creator and Divine design, nature itself gives testimony of the handiwork of God; therefore, Paul declared, “the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (1:20). Creation serves as a testimony of perfect design, yet, man’s sin and rebellion has introduced a chaotic, self-destructive state, and provoked God’s wrath “against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness” (1:18).

 

We have not seen the depth of depravity to which men will go when they deny God, and suppress righteousness and truth. Yet, we are witnessing in the 21st century a denial of the undeniable (an example, some of this generation have denied the biological evidences of two sexes—male and female). What is the lesson? Deny the Creator, and there is no end to man’s wicked imaginations (1:21).

An Attitude of Ingratitude (1:21-22)

 

The hardness and darkness of man’s heart is visible, and undeniable (1:21). Though the Creator is the source of life and well-being, man has rejected him and proposed an evolutionary process that has no scientific basis, and is as irrational, as it is foolish (imagine, an intricate design, but no designer…the thought is preposterous).



While the concept of Charles Darwin’s evolutionary theory would not be written for 1800 years, Paul diagnosed man’s spiritual crisis, writing of men, they “became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (1:21-22). The classrooms of schools, colleges and universities in the 21st century are instructed by men and women who imagine they are wise philosophers, and lovers of wisdom (1:21). Yet, having denied their Creator, they have become fools, incapable of understanding truth or making moral judgments (discerning between good and evil, 1:22).

The Depth of Depravity (1:23-27)

 

How foolish are men who deny the revelation of God in His creation? In Paul’s day they worshipped nature, “and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things” (1:23). What becomes of a world that rejects God?

 

There is no limit to the depths of moral depravity to which men will descend. In fact, men become slaves to sin, and “dishonour [shame] their own bodies between themselves” (1:24). Because they reject God’s truth, they worship and serve nature (1:25). Rejecting the Creator, and natural design, men and women turn to sodomy, as “women did change the natural use into that which is against nature [contrary to nature]: (27) And likewise also the men, leaving [forsaking; abandoning] the natural use of the woman, burned [inflamed; raged] in their lust one toward another; men with men working [doing] that which is unseemly [shameful; indecent], and receiving in themselves that recompence [penalty] of their error which was meet [demanding the judgment of God]” (1:26-27).



Closing thoughts (1:28-32) - What a tragic portrait of man’s rebellion, and moral depravity! Man has cast aside the knowledge of His Creator, and God has abandoned him to destructive passions and lusts. Recorded in Romans 1:29-31 are twenty-three signs or indications a man, people who have abandoned God.

 

Romans 1:29 - All unrighteousness (all manner of sin); fornication (sexual immorality: adultery, prostitution, pornography); wickedness (malice; meanness); covetousness (greed; love of wealth and possessions); maliciousness (desire to hurt or harm another); envy (jealous; despising the success of others); murder (taking innocent life); debate (quarreling; contentious); deceit (lie; guile; entrapment); malignity (dishonorable; evil); and whisperers (slander; gossip).

 

Romans 1:30Backbiters (slanderers); haters of God; despiteful (scoffers); proud (haughty, arrogant); boasters (braggers); inventors of evil things (new means of sexual debauchers); and disobedient to parents (treating parents with disdain and disrespect);

 

Romans 1:31Without understanding (foolish, ignorant of God and His Law); covenantbreakers (breaking contracts, covenants, and agreements); without natural affection (lacking a natural love for family); implacable (refusing to forgive and be reconciled); and unmerciful (lack compassion; without mercy).

 

Sinful man is “without excuse” (1:20, 32). In spite of having the judgment of God written upon his conscience, man not only continues in his sin, but takes pleasure in watching others sin (1:32).



* You can become a regular subscriber of the Heart of a Shepherd daily devotionals, and have them sent directly to your email address. Please enter your email address in the box to the right (if using a computer) or at the bottom (if using a cell phone).

 

Copyright © 2022 – Travis D. Smith

Heart of A Shepherd Inc is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501c3, and is a public charitable organization. Mailing address: Heart of A Shepherd Inc, 6201 Ehrlich Rd., Tampa, FL 33625.

You can email HeartofAShepherdInc@gmail.com for more information on this daily devotional ministry.