28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
Romans 1:28-32 ESV
God gives us the freedom and independence to follow after our stubborn hearts, doing whatever we think and feel is acceptable for all who refuse to retain the knowledge of God. God has every ounce of might necessary to hold on to His created ones to keep them in line, as a dog owner might yank on a leash to tame his wayward pup. This act of dominance might keep the dog from running away but forces him into submission. However, we are not dogs; humans are the only ones in creation who hold God’s image. How can God develop an authentic and reciprocal relationship with His image-bearers out of force of will? And when humans rage against God’s authority and desire to disconnect from Him, He gives us up. And what do we do with this freedom? Consider these scriptures:
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way. Isaiah 53:6
Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear among the sons of men. Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?” Psalm 12:1, 4
The short answer? We do not go God’s way, and we do not follow Him. We don’t want a Master and don’t want to do things God’s way. We likely will go in the opposite direction of God. When we forsake God’s way, scripture also tells us the unavoidable consequences:
He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray. Proverbs 10:17
Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, and he who hates correction will die. Proverbs 15:10
If you consider the ways Paul lists in Romans 1:29-32 that we go astray against God’s desires and will for us, one would be hard-pressed not to see themselves reflected in the attitudes and behaviors outlined. This list shows how far we can go from God when left to our own devices and how disconnected we will become when God gives us up. It’s not a pretty picture of humanity.