10/10/2024
A Reprobate Mind
(Romans 1:28)
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, God gave them over to a reprobate mind so that they do what ought not to be done.
Let me start by saying that everyone's end state can be summed up as the possibility of having a reprobate mind. As you read further, I'll discuss what that means more.
Every created being (you and me) is made in God's image. This means we all start off with the Gift of Grace, which is likened to a small flame (Jesus Christ) within us. We then decide what we're going to do with that flame.
That flame remains small, which means the individual sought salvation and forgiveness of their sins through Jesus Christ but did little to be a reflection of The Savior King.
Those will be the ones who step into eternity (paradise) but will be counted as those having barely escaped the flames. Their eternal end state? They made it.
Then, they'll be those who seek after our Loving Savior as if He were a Buried Treasure. After searching, finding, and loving The Lord God Jesus Christ with every fiber of their being, they'll eventually also step into eternity.
Their initial small flame becomes a raging fire. You know them from church, perhaps work, or school. They display the Illuminating Light and Love of Jesus Christ, as Moses did after his audience with The Creator on Mount Sinai.
Granted, these types are few and far between; however, they are out there. When we find them, we need to watch and listen and spend as much time around them as possible. Let some of what they got rub off on us.
And then there are the in-between types, degrees of barely escaping to shining like Moses. Most believers fall into these groups. All described will one day walk on streets paved with gold.
And then there's the last group, the mockers and scoffers, those whom God will classify as having a reprobate mind. Sadly, I fear that is a good portion of the world's population.
For those types, whenever Jesus Christ is mentioned, comment, "Yeah right, that's all science fiction; it's a fairy tale." Those are the ones who chose to trample on The Precious Blood of The Creator Jesus Christ.
Does Jesus know who they are? Rest assured, He Certainly Does! The Bible refers to them as people who God will and has rejected as wicked and godless.
The Greek word translated as "reprobate" in the New Testament is adokimos, which means unapproved, rejected, or seen by God as worthless. Wow!
These individuals have, with malice aforethought, sprinted daily away from The Light further and further into the darkness. Their Gift of Grace, sadly, appears to have permanently burned out.
Consequently, God gave them over to a reprobate mind. It's like the fast-food slogan. In the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, you can have it any way you want it. It's our free will. The choice and subsequent eternal penalty belong to those who made the choice.
Will these types be easily recognizable? That'll be tough. Some indicators might be their lack of perceivable Kingdom Fruit—some who willfully reject Jesus Christ at every opportunity, suppressing the Truth for wickedness.
Many will place no limits or restrictions upon themselves when it comes to sinful behavior. They'll have absolutely no desire to change. Those are but a few of the possible indicators.
As for claiming to know another person's heart, Only Jesus knows that. What you and I are tasked with is to daily use that magnifying glass on ourselves. Let's pray for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Pray also for those whose flame appears to have gone out. Life has given everyone the daily opportunity to choose either The Light of Jesus Christ or not.
Be careful, though, when dealing with those who exist in the darkness. If you'll look there will be signs. As The Light can be transferred from the fruit bearers, so can the darkness by the godless.
That's why we daily ask our Loving Creator, Jesus Christ, to place His Hedge of Protection around us, blocking the fiery darts of the evil one. Stay in The Light by being in the world but not of the world.
Finally, the question that remains is whether we can declare anyone to have a reprobate mind. As much as we may want to, there will still be uncertainty.
So, let's let King Jesus figure that one out. Let's concentrate more on being a daily reflection of our Loving Savior. The darkness is out there; it's not going anywhere.
If we daily decide to run toward, staying in, the Light of Jesus Christ, He'll illuminate the darkness for us, giving it nowhere to hide. The Light permeates the darkness. And we, Christ's Children, know how this all ends.
Darkness, disease, and evil are all defeated by our Victorious Savior King. All are cast into the lake that burns forever and ever. So, stay on His Path and focus on Jesus Christ and Him alone. And I'll see you at The Lamb's Supper.
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