INTRODUCTION

The first chapter of Romans concludes with a list of horrendous sins. These sins reveal people who were completely void of the relationship God intended for His creation. Most believers could never imagine the possibility of being guilty of the sins of sodomy (Romans 1:26-27 [26] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: [27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
See All...), murder (Romans 1:29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
See All...), and hating the Lord (Romans 1:30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
See All...). Yet, egregious sins begin through a rather simple process. The list in Romans reveals that the downward spiral begins when men fail to glorify God and refuse to give Him thanks (Romans 1:21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
See All...). Sadly, many of God’s people are laying the groundwork for a downward spiral into further degradation. Becoming a child of God empowers the Christian but does not eliminate his freedom to choose his path, right or wrong. Unfortunately, traveling the wrong path can lead a Christian into the depths of inexpressible depravity.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): The Israelites were not thankful for how God had blessed them (Ezekiel 16:17-19 [17] Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them, [18] And tookest thy broidered garments, and coveredst them: and thou hast set mine oil and mine incense before them. [19] My meat also which I gave thee, fine flour, and oil, and honey, wherewith I fed thee, thou hast even set it before them for a sweet savour: and thus it was, saith the Lord GOD.
  See All...). Instead, they took God’s blessings and focused their attention upon idols that had no power to help them (Psalm 115:4-7 [4] Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. [5] They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: [6] They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: [7] They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
  See All...). Unthankfulness eventually causes even those with scriptural knowledge to turn away from God.
• (For everyone):  Do you faithfully give God thanks for the things within your life? Do you take time to give Him credit for the blessings as well as the trials that draw you close to Him?
• How do you think someone ends up committing the sins mentioned at the end of Romans chapter 1? Is it possible that failing to repent of unthankfulness could lead you into such wickedness?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to identify any unthankfulness within your heart and life.
• Ask the Lord to protect you from the sins of Romans chapter 1.

HYMN

I Am Resolved

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