Resources/Articles
Challenging Nature
Why do people challenge nature? Today’s society consists of dysfunctional families, single-parent homes, and same-sex marriages. Divorce percentages are down only because of cohabitations. Also, our society is one wherein alternative lifestyles are becoming more common, not only demanding recognition, but also civil rights.
I believe the scriptures point to a direct relationship between going against nature and the breakdown of the marriage relationship.
Why do people challenge nature? Romans 1.24-32 provides us with the answer. Note the progression:
- Truth is suppressed by unrighteousness of men (v. 18; unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5.17)). Consequently…
- Man, who once knew God, ceases to honor him or give thanks to him (v. 22).
- The glory of God is exchanged for images resembling man and animals (v. 23).
Today’s society is no different than past societies. The problems faced by Christians who live in an ungodly society were faced by past generations of godly people. There is a progression toward further ungodliness until a point of no return is reached (cf. 2 Chronicles 36.15-16). This progression is seen in Romans 1:
- No honor or thankfulness (v. 21).
- God’s glory is exchanged (v. 23).
- God gave them up to the lusts of their hearts to impurity and the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves (v. 24).
- Exchanged the truth about God for a lie (v. 25).
- Worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator (v. 25).
- God gave them up to dishonorable passions (vv. 26-27).
- Did not see fit to acknowledge God. God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness (vv. 29-32)
When this behavior is practiced in a marriage relationship, the effects upon the children are certain to come. Phases: When children have been reared in a home where they were exposed regularly to anger, strife, bitterness, backbiting, and resentment between parents, it does not go without negatively affecting the children! The second generation grows up with an unhealthy attitude toward marriage. Then by the third generation, there is abuse, both verbal and physical. Then by the fourth generation, there is the problem of gender and orientation being questioned. History has shown that sexual attachments are among the determining factors of human character, life, and the basis of society (Hebrews 13.4; 1 Corinthians 6.9-11).
There have been many people from the past who behaved in the way described in Romans 1:
- Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 13.13; 18.20; Jude 1.7)
- The Canaanites (Leviticus 18.22-27)
- Rehab the harlot (Joshua 2.1,8-13; Hebrews 11.31)
- The people of Nineveh (Jonah)
- The man sick of the palsy (Matthew 9.1-8)
- The publicans and sinners (Matthew 10.9-13)
- The woman who washed Jesus’ feet (Luke 7.36-50)
- Zachaeus, the tax collector (Luke 19.1-10)
- The thief on the cross (Luke 23.32-43)
- The woman taken in adultery (John 8.1-11).
- In the New Testament (who had been under the Old Testament law), the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 6.9-11; cf. Galatians 5.19; Ephesians 5.3; Colossians 3.5-7). Yet, many of these repented of their wicked ways.
There is only one thing powerful enough to cause a person to acknowledge their wickedness and motivate them to repent. Herein we see the power of the good news. Let us have faith that what it accomplished in the past, it will accomplish in the present. Our nature can be challenged, not only for the worse, but for the better. Our nature can be changed because of the gospel message, for the hope that it brings through Jesus. It is faith in this hope, exercised by submission to Jesus’ teachings (Hebrews 5.9), which will enable anyone to overcome their past and be forgiven, in like manner as the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 6.11).
Faith that begins as small as a mustard seed can produce an unimaginable change in one’s life when that person’s life is lived in worship and service to God, following Jesus’ example. Such a fruitful life was foretold and prophesied (Ezekiel 17.23-24).
From a life of misery, negative feelings about self, turmoil, guilt, hopelessness, and regret, to living with peace, joy, happiness, and blessed assurance, that cannot be lost, is what will be yours, when you choose to change “Masters” and follow Jesus.
Do you have such a faith? Are you willing to begin living a life of obedience to Jesus, and cease serving Satan? Jesus promised this if you will: “Truly, I say to you there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for my sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10.29-30).
