Each phase of our life is like a new chapter in a book. Each chapter has special memories that make our lives worth living and were influential in taking us in a specific direction. The door of the previous chapter closes, and a new one opens.
In the first chapter of Romans, Paul closes the door to his past ministry and focuses on the new, open door that lies before him. He expressed that intent in the first part of chapter one. The second part is where he describes the first issue he tackles as he prepares for his visit to them.
Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”
By verse eighteen, the pleasantries of his opening greeting changed to address the ‘elephant’ in the room. He begins by describing the deplorable condition of the Gentile world. Much like our culture, they were obsessed with their sexuality.
Romans did not think in terms of sexual orientation. Instead, sexuality was their perception of masculinity, male domination, and the adoption of the Greek pursuit of beauty. In the Roman mind, the strong took what they wanted to take. It was socially acceptable for a strong Roman male to have intercourse with men or women alike, provided he was the aggressor. They looked down upon those who played the female ‘receptive’ role in homosexual partnerships.
Those who dominated in the bedroom as he did on the battlefield were considered real men. He would have sex with his slaves, whether male or female and would visit prostitutes; he would have homosexual encounters even while married; even rape was acceptable as long as he only raped people of a lower status. “He was strong, muscular, and hard in body and spirit. Society looked down on him only when he appeared weak.” So, Romans did not think of people as being oriented toward homosexuality or heterosexuality. Instead, they understood that a respectable man would express his dominance by having sex—consensual or forced—with men, women, and even children.
We must realize that the gospel Paul brought to Rome did not simply represent an alternate system of morality but one that condemned the existing system. This system was foundational to Roman identity and stability. Christians were outsiders, traitors, and dangerous. Their brand of morality threatened to destabilize all society. No wonder they were scorned and persecuted.
Are we following in the footsteps of Rome? Will we face the same division and defeat they experienced? Or, will we wake up and repent, turning away from our sin and following Christ’s commands to do everything He instructed us to do?
History will tell the story.