forgivenWretch

Romans 1:

16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
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.
22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27And 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.
28And 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;
29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32Who 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.


Let's first take a look at the context of this chapter, which focuses on immoralities, that man insists on partaking of, even while knowing that what they are doing is reprehensible in God's eyes.

Knowledge of God was evident, but these men chose to put this knowledge in the back of their minds, and vehemently disregard the repercussions of not following Him. Basically they were mocking God.

Now let's look at the definition of reprobate;

1.a depraved, unprincipled, or wicked person: a drunken reprobate. 2.a person rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation. –adjective 3.morally depraved; unprincipled; bad. 4.rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation. –verb (used with object) 5.to disapprove, condemn, or censure. 6.(of God) to reject (a person), as for sin; exclude from the number of the elect or from salvation.

God does not force His will on anyone. The gift is offered, but it remains our choice if we accept or deny. In this scripture, the ones being talked about chose to mock God and continue in sin, and by
God is washing His hands because He knows that these will never accept Him.

Faithwoman, I hope this helps. This is the way I see it. There are unfortunately those who will never accept God, and He will completely leave them to pay for their sins.

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I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use. ~Galileo

Faithwoman

Thanks so much!
Yes it does!

Faithwoman

Bondman

Great question, Faithwoman. Some really 'heavy-duty' truths in that Chapter.

Then that was a top-rate answer, Wayne! *Bondman feels real happy!*

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Faithwoman

Quote:

Great question, Faithwoman. Some really 'heavy-duty' truths in that Chapter. Then a top-rate answer from Wayne! *Bondman feels real happy!*

Yes it was a top rate answer.. It helped me understand so well.

As my journey continues, I learn more and more.. thanks to these wonderful folks here!

Faithwoman

Bondman

PERSONAL UPDATE

Hi everyone! I need to let you all know where we are at. Our health situation continues to get worse. Out wonderful Doc came to see me last night with a lot of test results. It's a dreadful contradiction that most Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients don't show any problems in regular test results! - but my liver is currently going ballistic (not from alchohol cos I'm a lifetime tea-totaller) and I need a ct scan to see what it is. I'm so weak that we've yet to figure exactly how I can get to have this done...

In the case of my Beloved, in with her many regular pain spots is a major pain problem in her right side that no one has yet been able to figure out, despite ct scans and everything else they've tried. Is it kidney, liver, bowel? No one knows. Goodness, this is hard for her to handle in amongst all her other physical problems!

We are in the middle of getting an electric wheelchair to keep me mobile enough to be able to keep doing the things I need to do to look after myself. If my love had to take them over she would collapse, and were that to happen then we're both absolutely 'GONE'... My increasing body weakness means that crutches I've used since 1992 are now too hard for me to manage round the house. With the chair costing between $3,000 and $4,000 we're doing piles of research that in itself is killing us both cos it's so important that we get the right one!!

Meantime we're also having to change my care plan (I can handle only 1 bath per week now and even that sometimes wipes me out), organising other jobs we need done for our house, one computer is still to be fixed, and I can't remember the rest of the major list of things we currently have on our plate!

The Doc said the stress level for us both is off the scale, and that this has to stop. Yessir, Doc. *salutes!* Being as ill as we are is a MAJOR stress in itself of course. Doc and Beloved reckon I'm stressed by just trying to stay alive(!), so as you can see, all this stress in our lives - and in my lady's case fighting depression also - is a problem we have to seriously work to address.

So I shall be here when I'm here. The Inner Room ministry for me is still central to my life (you may remember how I've said that the Lord knows I'm willing for Him to use me up) but we have to do whatever's necessary to try to solve and clear away the stuff I've mentioned.

The best would be if God should SOON HEAL OUR SICK BODIES BY MIRACLE. If you wish to pray for us as we continue on, please ask the Lord for strong faith for us both, and clear minds so we will have correct focus every day.

Thankyou to all you dear ones! - and may His love and grace and power sustain you at all times!

- BM and his Lady

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forgivenWretch

Bondman, I totally admire the passion that indwells within you. Even through all of the physical and emotional distress, your love for God and others still shines so brightly. You are most assuredly an inspiration to all of us here.

His arms are definitely caressing you, giving you the strength which glorifies Him. You, dear brother, and the Mrs. continue to hold a special place in our hearts and prayers. You are so blessed.

In His ever consoling grip, may He provide the comfort and peace of mind that no matter how hard the physical and emotional issues abound, your radiance will continue to shine.

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I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use. ~Galileo

Mark_18

Amen!

Nothing will have you, you are the LORD's! Hallelujah!

Bondman, you're gonna have to put up with me hugging you excessively in heaven - just to warn ya.

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Luke 15:31 - And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Joel 2:28 - I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
Matthew 7:7 - Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Psalms 126:5 - Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

JOKE POLICE

Faithwoman

Me too.. me too..........hugging ya .. can't wait!

Praying for you and the Mrs.

Faithwoman

Fluffy

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Be transparent before God, He sees right thru you, anyway!
http://www.likepreciousfaith.org/testimony_val.htm
Please pray for your local emergency responders, daily.

Bondman

Thankyou so much guys!

(Yer on, Mark!!)

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