The World Doesn't Want You Thinking About God
Ever notice how Sunday has become the world's favorite sleep-in day? The thick Sunday paper (remember those?) was designed to keep you glued to your lazy chair instead of going to church. Comics for the kids, sports for dad, coupons for mom – everything calculated to keep your mind off God.
But here's what happens when people don't retain God in their knowledge, according to Romans 1:28: "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient."
What Exactly Is a Reprobate Mind?
A reprobate mind is a mind that has:
No purity
No virtue
No moral goodness
No ability to naturally know God
It's what happens when someone repeatedly rejects God, and God finally says, "Okay, you can have what you want." It's not that God forces this on anyone – He simply stops restraining them from their own desires.
When Normal Becomes Abnormal
Let me be straight with you – when mankind pushes God out of the picture, something terrible happens. The natural passions that men have for women and women have for men become completely abnormal. Against nature itself.
Romans 1:26-27 puts it bluntly: "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: 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..."
The mind that rejects God doesn't just drift slightly off course – it goes from normal to abnormal. And suddenly, abnormal becomes the new normal.
The Mess No Politician Can Fix
You wonder why no politician can fix the mess we're in? The best they can offer is better roads, a better tax plan, maybe improved healthcare. That's about it. They can't fix the real problem because we're swimming in a cesspool of filth – a dark dungeon of a sin-infested world.
The only solution is Jesus Christ.
Don't look anywhere else for help. You want better roads? Vote for somebody. You want a better heart? Vote Jesus. He is the only answer.
Breaking Down the False "Reprobate Doctrine"
Now here's where I need to clear something up that's been spreading even through Independent Baptist churches – this false doctrine that homosexuals can't be saved. That's a lie, and I'll prove it from Scripture.
Romans 1 is NOT teaching that those given over to a reprobate mind can never be saved. It's showing the downward spiral of mankind when they reject God:
Verse 21: Man won't repent
Verse 22: They profess themselves wise
Verse 23: They worship images
Verse 24: God gives them up to uncleanness
Verse 26: God gives them up to vile affections
Verse 28: God gives them over to a reprobate mind
Notice something? Never once does it say they can't be saved.
God gives you what you want. You don't want to retain God in your knowledge? He'll give you what you want. You want to reject God? You want to put something else in His place? God says, "There you go, you can have it."
The Truth About Old Testament Law
Some radical churches have taken Leviticus 20:13 out of context, claiming homosexuals should be put to death today. But look at the whole chapter:
Verse 9: Death for cursing parents
Verse 10: Death for adultery
Verse 27: Death for wizardry
If you're going to apply one verse from Leviticus 20 today, you'd have to apply them all. That would wipe out half the population just from the adultery/divorce rate alone! You'd have to execute everyone who's cursed their parents, committed adultery, or watched Disney movies with wizards.
We are not under Old Testament law. This is a completely different time with a completely different covenant.
The Real Message: Christ Saves Sinners
Here's what we need to understand – Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Period.
Even those with a reprobate mind. Even the worst of the worst.
When you witness to someone caught in any sin, including homosexuality, you don't need to dial in on their specific sin to make yourself feel superior. Instead, ask:
"Have you ever told a lie?"
Pretty much everybody has. Show them you're on the same playing field. We are ALL sinners who need the saving grace of God.
Yes, some sins take you farther from God. Yes, some lifestyles make it harder to trust your Heavenly Father. But remember this: One lie keeps you from God just as much as any other sin.
The Power of the Gospel
People are good at sin, but God's the Good Shepherd. People are great sinners, but we have a Great Savior who will save anybody who calls on His name.
Romans 10:13 promises: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
That "whosoever" includes everyone. The alcoholic. The adulterer. The liar. The homosexual. The self-righteous church-goer. Even those with a reprobate mind. Everyone.
If more people would get down on their knees and cry out, "God, I deserve hell! Please Lord, why haven't you sent me to hell?" – that person is ready for some grace. That person is ready for the gospel.
Don't Miss the Point
The world is psycho with sin. From drag queen story hours to pagan female ministers, from the jails to your own street – people are sick with sin. The hospital can't fix it. The police department can't fix it. The fire department can't put out the eternal flames they're headed for without Christ.
But here's the beautiful truth: God has given us the power to be His vessels. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).
That's the help they need. That's the help we offer. Not condemnation. Not comparison. Just the simple, powerful gospel that Jesus saves.
A reprobate mind isn't the end of the story – it's just another condition that needs the cure only Christ can provide.
📖 Want to dive deeper into this powerful message?
This blog post only scratches the surface of this life-changing sermon on Romans 1. To hear the full expository preaching with complete verse-by-verse Bible teaching that will challenge and encourage your faith, listen to the entire sermon here.
Don't miss out on the rich biblical insights and practical applications that only come from sitting under sound, verse-by-verse bible teaching. This sermon will equip you to share the gospel with boldness and compassion to a world that desperately needs it. ✝️
Experience the difference that genuine expository preaching makes in understanding God's Word.