"For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved" (Jn. 3:19-20).
Romans 1:18-20 tells us that God has provided ample evidence of His existence, that man is accountable to Him, and that he cannot plead ignorance as an excuse for rejecting Him. But, instead of worshipping the Creator, man failed to acknowledge God, and the light faded (Rom. 1:21). The result? Idolatry (Rom. 1:22-23)!
So God, allowing them to continue in rebellion, "gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts" (Rom. 1:24). The result? Man added sexual immorality to his idolatry (Rom. 1:24-25).
Because mankind reveled in sexual immorality and idolatry, God allowed them to sink deeper into darkness. Paul writes, "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections"; the next stage in man's downward spiral was homosexuality (Rom. 1:26-27).
By this time, man had begun denying God even existed, so He "gave them over to a reprobate mind" (Rom. 1:28). Now, in addition to idolatry, sexual immorality, and homosexuality, man had become totally without conscience. His activities included:
"Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them" (Rom. 1:29-32).
Notice that he not only is known for his own wickedness, but that he delights in bringing others into his total darkness! Fortunately, for the few (Mt. 7:14), God gets through to them before they self-destruct! His Spirit convicts the hearts of men, and hearing the Gospel, they respond in faith (Jn. 16:6-14; Rom. 1:1-17). They call out to Jesus for forgiveness, and surrender to Him as their Lord and Savior (Rom.10:9).
Beware when sin no longer fears the light!
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