Keep Calm...

For times like these when the culture seems to shift, we need to remember we were told a long time ago that there would be times like these. Actually, all times are essentially like these because at all times we are who He says we are. And getting all worked up about it only shows we aren't settled into the truths God has already told us. 

Comments

[Richard]

I must admit to a love/hate relationship with Romans 1. It's just such a true and helpful exposition of our problem (we fail to glorify God. We worship the creature rather than the creator) and our peril (the wrath of God is upon us) and of the solution to our problem (the gospel [v. 16] of the risen Christ [v. 4] received by faith and offered to everyone).
But then there's the verses about homosexuality. Paul uses it as an example of everyone's messed up life. But it's not perceived as such by most people who read Romans 1 today. This issue carries so much emotional freight in our culture that those verses become a distraction and a hindrance to really 'getting' what Paul is saying. I suspect that most readers today, if asked, would say that the chapter is about the gays, either how sinful they are or how bigoted Paul was towards them. Either way the point is missed ~ this is about ME! Whether I'm straight or gay, I'm an idolater, I'm in peril of the wrath of God, I need a Saviour and One has been provided for me. The point is so easily missed because people get so focused on the gay issue.

Romans 1 is inspired scripture. All of it. I don't want to mess with it. But how do you work around or with that?

[Steve McCoy]

Thanks for your comment, Richard. If a passage is particularly agitating a culture, it may be for a reason. That may be the time not for avoiding it, but using it. Yes, there is a perception problem, but since when are we supposed to only use the passages perceived perfectly? I'm happy to be in the camp where our words are used against us unfairly. That's what happened to Jesus.

[kevin]

Steve: What's your tshirt size, just in case my friend ends up making a tshirt out of this.
I think you should have one too :)

[Kevstar29]

I see I can sign in with Twitter too.
that's much nicer :)