December 11, 2025 -- Romans 1:24-25 -- Sin defined as disordered worship

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Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Romans 1:24-25 ESV
 
As we continue this series on “what is sin” we’re examining the reflections of well-known preachers and theologians. The late Tim Keller called sin fundamentally disordered worship. You can see from the passage in Romans 1 the source of this definition. Earlier in Romans 1, Paul describes the fact that wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness (verse 18). The heavens declare the glory of God, the divine attributes of God, the Creator can be discerned through creation, but men suppress the truth.
 
Have you ever tried to hold a beach ball underwater? The air in the beach ball will constantly push against you as the air forces the orb towards the surface. So it is with people who try to suppress the truth about God and His worthiness to be worshiped. As much as one will try to suppress worshiping Him, one will inevitably know he is pushing against the truth of His creation, His presence, His commands and His right to be worshiped and praised. Whenever God “pops up” folks, in their disordered love, will try to push Him down again. Away from thoughts. Away from accountability. Away from influencing how they ought to live knowing they were made for God and to worship Him and Him alone.
 
What is the result of disordered worship? Well, people begin to serve the creature, rather than the Creator. No wonder porn sites are always busy. No wonder men and women debase their bodies in all kinds of illicit affairs. No wonder folks are addicted to shopping, to gaming, to alcohol, to food, to drugs and so on. As soon as one tries to hold the beach ball of God’s incredible worth, holiness and blessedness down, it will, inevitably pop up again.
 
Ultimately, those who do not confess their disordered worship will, at the end of time, face the wrath of God. No mercy will be shown, for they have trampled the Son, Jesus, Who was sent to rescue them from this disordered worship. Those who suppress the truth in this life, will for eternity, be punished by the just anger of God. He Who made us, Who sustains all people, day and night, has every right to the honour due His Name. It is why Paul ended this section with the doxology, that is, words of praise to God “the Creator, Who is blessed forever! Amen (verse 25). Even His wrath and the defense of His holiness is witness to His greatness and His forbearance. While people lived, and there was every opportunity to know Him, and re-orient their worship towards Him, they did not.
 
Today is the day of salvation. Today as the world is marching toward the celebration of Christmas, the time when the Incarnation of Jesus is celebrated, re-order your life and your worship. Turn to God the Father, through the accomplished work of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit submit your will, your words and your daily walk to Him. Truly He is forever blessed.
 
God of royal splendour and all-glory, blessed be Your Name now and forevermore. Assist us, by Your Holy Spirit, to turn from all false and distorted worship, and in awe, love and wonder worship You alone. Encourage us, in true community, to call one another to acts of obedience and holy service and times of gathering with Your people for holy worship. Revive us, so that our lives, our public and private worship, reflect the glory of Your Name. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/sTg4BhoKevE?si=pgz56V_7JySAqJfD O Come, Let Us Adore Him
 

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