Resources/Articles
Challenging Nature: For Better or Worse?
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 civil rights as well. I believe the Scriptures point to a direct relationship between “going against nature” and the breakdown of the marriage relationship.
Romans 1.24-32 provides us the answer to the question, “Why do people challenge nature?” Notice the progression: In verse 18, truth is suppressed by the unrighteousness of men (unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5.17)). Consequently, in verse 22, man, who once knew God, ceased to honor him or give thanks to him. In verse 23, the glory of God was exchanged for images resembling man and animals.
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. We find that God’s people under the old covenant digressed in unrighteousness until their idolatrous living reached a point of no return, “…but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of Jehovah arose against his people, til there was no remedy” (2 Chronicles 36.16).
The digression of Gentiles in unrighteousness is given in detail in Romans 1 as well as God’s response:
- 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 to 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 (v. 28).
- God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done (v. 28).
- They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness (vv. 29-32).
When children have been reared in a home where they were exposed regularly to anger, strife, bitterness, backbiting, and resentment of the parents toward one another, it does not go without negatively affecting the children. The second generation grows up with an unhealthy attitude toward marriage. By the third generation, there is abuse, both verbal and physical. Then by the fourth generation there is the problem of gender 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 - “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled; but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
- 1 Corinthians 6.9-11 - “Know ye not that then unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
There have been many people in the Bible with the behaviors detailed 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; Nahum)
- The man sick of the palsy (Matthew 9.1-8)
- The publicans and sinners (Matthew 9.10-13)
- The woman who washed Jesus’ feet (Luke 7.36-50)
- Zacchaeus, 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)
- The Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 6.9-11 (cf. Galatians 5.19; Ephesians 5.3; Colossians 3.5-7 (uncleanness))
Yet many of these changed (i.e., they repented of their wicked ways). How? Why? Herein we see the power of God’s Word. 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 hope that the gospel message brings through Jesus. Faith in this hope, exercised in submission to Jesus’ teachings (Hebrews 5.9) will enable anyone to overcome their past and receive forgiveness, as did the Corinthians - “…but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified…” (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 a life lived in worship of and in service to God as Jesus taught and lived. Such a fruitful life was foretold and prophesied (Ezekiel 17.23).
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. This will be yours when you choose to change how you live. Change your “master” 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 change:
“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
