Furthermore, just as
they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave
them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. Although
they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death,
they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who
practice them.
When someone says “I wash my hands of you”, it usually means
that we have done enough wrong that they are exasperated with us. They have
tried to lead us in the right direction but we continue down our own foolish
path. It usually means they are done with us and we are meant to figure things
out on our own. This can be a difficult realization. The text above basically
highlights that concept. God had instructed the people how to live and what
commands to follow and they refused. They preferred to continue in their
perverse and destructive ways…so God gave them over to their sin…he washed his hands
of them. Dwell on that concept for a moment…let that sink in. Imagine God
saying “I’ve had enough of you, I’m finished, you figure it out on your own.”
As an adult, there is not a whole lot that scares me…but that right there is
completely unnerving. The idea that God would turn me loose to live in my own
destructive and damaging ways is frightening to say the least. I am confident
that God’s guides our steps each day and I am confident that God protects us
often from our own destructive sinful selves. And I am confident that without
the direction from the Lord, life would be way more difficult and we would get
into way more trouble. So the idea that God would turn us loose to figure
things out on our own is a concept that is beyond uncomfortable. Thankfully,
through our faith in Christ, God won’t turn us loose. Through the covenant
formed when that nail pierced his hands and was driven into that old tree, God
will forever call us his chosen ones. Thankfully through our faith in Christ,
God is never going to wash his hands of us. Even though we continue to mess up
with each new day, if we maintain disciplined faith and profess true repentance,
we remain God’s chosen people. A people deeply loved by the Lord…a people
protected, cherished, and secured by the Lord. May we never waver in our faith
and belief in Christ Jesus…may we never let a day pass where we don’t repent of
our foolish ways and seek forgiveness from the Lord…and may we never doubt the
promise God made to us through Christ. After all, it’s all we have and it’s all
we need. To God alone be the glory!
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