[404 words]
One of the sins of the dark world of the Gentiles in the first century was being “without natural affection” (Rom. 1:31). This is the natural love we have for our kin, especially for our parents and our children. It is not just being “unloving” as the New King James translates this verse. That is too general. Paul is specifically talking about the feelings God instilled within us to nurture and protect our own flesh and blood.
Some in Paul’s day were so twisted that they had no such feelings for their own children. Abortion was common. Exposure–leaving a newborn baby outside to die or be taken by others–was widespread. Justin Martyr (110-165 AD) said that most of these children were found and raised to be prostitutes. He even added that “there are some who prostitute even their own children and wives, and some are openly mutilated for the purpose of sodomy” (First Apology, chapter 27).
We cringe at the sound of such disgusting behavior. How could parents do such things to their own children? Justin Martyr said they treated people like animals, and he was right. We look back with horror at what people did in certain periods ofBible history, but are people today different? The Old Testament says that the Jews became so degraded that they burned their children in fire as part of idol worship (Jer. 19:5). This was cruel, but was it any worse than the barbaric practice of partial birth abortion in which scissors are stabbed into the back of a living baby’s head? While we are nauseated to read about parents turning their own children into prostitutes, we should remember that this is done throughout the world today. The world has not changed.
But that is not all. There are parents who allow their daughter’s boyfriend to spend the night with her in her bedroom in their own home! There are mothers and fathers who allow their son to bring a girlfriend home to sleep with him! The word “sleepover” once had an innocent meaning, but that day is passing. Such Christians need the same rebuke Paul gave the Corinthians whose moral standards fell below the morals of the Gentiles (1 Cor. 5). They ought to be ashamed and repent and put a stop to such! The only way to be a light in the world is to refuse to conform to it!
Kerry Duke
West End Church of Christ
Livingston, TN