Romans 1
"Therefore God (ὁ θεὸς) handed them over (παραδίδωμι, aor.) in the cravings (ταῖς ἐπιθυμίαις) of their hearts to [sexual] dirtiness (ἀκαθαρσία), to the dishonouring (ἀτιμάζω, pres. mid.) of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged (μεταλλάσσω, aor.) the truth of God (τὴν ἀλήθειαν τοῦ θεοῦ) for the lie (τῷ ψεύδει) and reverenced (σεβάζομαι, aor.) and served (λατρεύω, aor.) the creation (τῇ κτίσει) instead of the Creator (τὸν κτίσαντα), who is blessed to all eternity! Amen." - Romans 1:24-25
Paul continues to talk about man's true condition before God. In these verses we learn that because we have chosen to reverence and religiously serve creation, and various things in creation, rather than the Creator himself, he has given us over to the illicit cravings of our flesh, in particular, sexual dirtiness (ἀκαθαρσία). This has resulted in our dishonouring our own God-given bodies through various sexual practices.
The pattern is clear. God gives us clear evidence he exists and that he is the one we are supposed to worship and serve. We refuse to do this because of our sinful hearts. We build idols for ourselves and worship them instead of God. We think we're pretty smart, but our foolish hearts become dark. God gives us over to the sins we think are no big deal. He lets us wallow in the mud like pigs. All this because we absolutely refuse to acknowledge him as the Creator of all things, as the one who gives us our very breath.
Father, may we accurately diagnose our problem. It is sin. Our turning away from you brings on consequences that are absolutely horrible and that dishonour us as your image bearers. Thank you for the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you sent your Son to die in our place, so that we could be made clean again, clean from all our dirtiness. There is hope, and there is a fresh start. You are such an amazing Creator God. Thank you for personally caring about us and not leaving us forever in sin. In Jesus' name, amen.
- Jeff Coleman