17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;
19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
V. 17 - “So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,”
“that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk“ - Refer back to verses Eph 2:2-3, 4:1. See also: Col 3:7, 1:21. Obviously the Gentiles were more than just ‘non-Jews’. We do not understand the gulf that separated those who believed in God (the Lord) and the pagan. Until recently, we really have no equal with respect to antithesis to God, except perhaps in certain parts of some big cities where crime, etc., are prominent .
However, I read recently that the largest 'religious' group in America today is "None". Also, I have heard that the term 'evangelical', or 'conservative' Christians are the most disliked denominations in America. I can begin to see the disparity when I reflect on the quantity of pornographic magazines, shops, and internet access. We are exhorted to not participate in a sex-crazed and decadent society. Note: Paul was writing to people who grew up thinking such vile actions were normal. We in America seem to be rushing headlong into the same spiritual malaise. Darkness seems to surround us, and the attitudes are, “So what?” Sometimes it feels that we are in times similar to the days of Noah. See: “When the LORD saw that human wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every inclination of the human mind was nothing but evil all the time" (Gen 6:5), or, "Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with wickedness." (Gen 6:11)
"Futility of their mind” - This can go into several directions:
- The vile things they do are a search for meaning and fulfilment. But they are wrong.
- They say there is no God (Psa 14:1-3). Therefore there is no reason to fear for what they are doing.
- These things are sometimes used as a search for, or an appeasement of, some god. These are all hopeless causes, having no basis in fact.
V. 18 - “being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;”
“darkened in their understanding” - (Rom 1:21, 25. 28; Zech 7:11-12; Deut 29:4; Isa 29:10; Psa 69:22-23; ) The phrases used “Let him who has ears, let him hear”, (Mk 4:9, 23; Lk 14:35) or ‘Let him who has eyes, let him see” (Mt 13:15, 16; Lk 10:23) are pleas to be willing to listen and see that God is good. He loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life! Too many are willing to turn their back on Jesus, to cover their ears so they cannot hear the message. Making decisions based on inadequate or incorrect information can lead to disaster. This is true in our physical life on earth as well as our spiritual life which will last forever. Being darkened in understanding is being ignorant of all the facts.
Timothy Keller wrote, “The darkness represents increasing self-deception. We say, ‘I’m not proud, just confident. I’m not abrasive, just direct. I’m not greedy, just sharp in business.’ The more we follow the path of self, the more we live in denial until, when life breaks down, we do not know what makes us stumble. Self-deception is not the worst thing you can do, but it’s the means by which we do the very worst things. The sin that is most distorting your life right now is the one you can’t see.” (See note 1)
“because of... the ignorance that is in them... the hardness of their heart” - (Jer 5:3, 21; 7:26; 8:5; 11:10; 17:23; 1 Pet 1:14) They cannot share in the life God offers them because they choose to reject Him and His Son. The list of their errors in judgement is long: futility in mind; darkened in understanding; ignorance, and hardness of heart. They do not respond to the light. ( John 1:4-5) They stumble in darkness, even though it is as bright as mid-day! (Job 5:14; Isa 59:10; Jer 13:16)
V. 19 - “and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.”
“having become callous” - A callous is an area of thickened or hardened skin formed as a result of repeated pressure or friction. It can also be an emotional hardness from repeated buffeting by circumstances or relationships. For example, new hiking boots - be sure to “break them in”, or make your feet tougher so you won’t get a blister on your next outing. I have a callous on my left hand at the base of the third finder where I grip my golf club. I can see how a person can become ‘hard’ when by emotional hurts when dealing with family or rejection.
The work of Satan is making you hardened against the call of Jesus to come to Him. Satan uses struggles and circumstances in our lives to tell us over and over that, "God really doesn’t love you, or He would have treated you better." That can build up an anger or a resentment against the Lord. (1 Tim 4:2; )
“given themselves over to sensuality” - (Rom 1:24; Col 3:5; ) Rather than respond to the Lord, they choose to do as they please when they please. The momentary pleasure is substituted for knowledge of God and the peace of God. They do not look beyond this very moment. The lasting peace is not present, so they keep looking; perhaps it might be in the next act. The surrender is to sin and Satan rather that to Jesus and God the Father. Eternity is not in their spiritual vocabulary.
Note 1: Keller, Timothy. “God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life”. Viking, 2017. Pg. 85.
***
No comments:
Post a Comment