One of the most sobering statements in all of the Bible is found in Romans 1:26. Of certain people involved in sinful and degrading life-styles, Paul wrote: "God gave them up...." Because of their addiction to vile practices, God completely washed His hands of them! To further emphasize their spiritual isolation, Paul twice repeated the indictment: "God gave them up..." (Romans 1:24,28).

What a terrifying condition! To be abandoned by God! Adding to this tragedy was the fact that these people were entirely responsible for their hopeless condition. They brought it upon themselves! They had been abandoned by God only after they had first abandoned Him! Turning their backs on God, these people became "filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice ... insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful..." (Romans 1:29-31).

From this catalog of the "sins of the abandoned," three truths about sin and its nature emerge.

1) SIN IS REAL
The abandoned condition of these people was the result of the actual presence of sin in their lives. Theirs was not a case of cultural deprivation, social maladjustment, or psychological disturbance. They were guilty of rejecting God's standards and attempting to replace them with standards of their own. Their sin had placed them under the sentence of divine wrath (Romans 1:18).

2) SIN IS DESTRUCTIVE
One of the great tragedies of sin is what it does to the sinner. Sin destroys the intellect The reckless sinners of Romans 1, became "fools" in their abandonment (Romans 1:22). Sin corrupts the emotions. Paul characterized these sinners as "depraved reprobates" given to "vile" and "degrading" passions (Romans 1:26, 28). Sin wrecks the body. Paul noted that sin had caused some of them to "dis­honor" their own bodies (Romans 1:24).

3) SIN DRIVES A WEDGE BETWEEN
US AND GOD
The greatest tragedy of sin is what it does to a person's relationship with God. Sin is an intolerable offense against the holy nature of God. It is an act of rebellion against the authority of God. Those who do not repent and abandon their sins become completely and irrevocably alienated from God! The prophet Isaiah pictured it this way:

Behold the Lord's hand is not so short that it cannot save; Neither is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hid His face from you so that He does not hear. (Isaiah 59:1-2)

If you live in sin, you live apart from God. It is essential that you do something before your separation leads to abandonment. How frightening to be among those of whom it is said: "God gave them UP......”

Homecoming 2003
Our annual “Homecoming” is planned for Sunday, March 30, 2003, here at Orange Street. Ted Wheeler from the Venice congregation is the scheduled guest speaker this year. Ted and Renee were members here for several years before moving to Ghana, West Africa, to do missionary work back in the eighties. Since returning from Africa, Ted has been the minister at the Church of Christ of Venice where he also serves as an elder.

Be sure to invite any former members you may have access to, as well as your family, friends and neighbors. More details will be announced as they become available.

Add to Directory
We are pleased to welcome Keith and Glory Marten to the number of saints worshiping here at Orange Street. Please add the following to your directories:

MARTEN, Keith & Gloriana [click for info]

Also - Derek Howard has been moved. His address is as follows. There are restrictions on what can be sent. See Wanda.

HOWARD, Derek G. [click for info]

Upcoming Area Events

• Mar 30 - “Homecoming 2003”
Orange Street - Guest Speaker: Ted Wheeler
• Apr 4-5 - “Father-Daughter Retreat”
Central Florida Bible Camp
• Apr 12 - Ladies’ Day - Orange St.
"Hat's Off To You, Christian Woman"
• May 2-4 - “Youth Retreat”
Weeki Wachee Christian Bible Camp