I find it interesting that, in Romans 1, one consequence of God's judgment is effectively "don't reproduce" - a revocation of the command and blessing of Genesis 1 & 2, to "be fruitful and multiply."
Discussion
Are you talking about 1:26-27?
21-32
I say this not as a "dunk" - but as a fellow sinner. Grace alone makes us differ.
That they are effectively denied the blessings of marriage, children, and family speaks to what enormous blessings they are actually meant to be--and to how deeply entwined those things are with our being, purpose, and relationship to/with our Creator. It all goes together, or it all falls apart.
Maybe this is generally true. “Be fruitful and multiply” would indicate that. But there are too many exceptions for me to say things as definitively as you have.
Paul was single and encouraged others to stay the same (at least in the context of the persecution of the church at the time).
Not everyone wants to, and not everyone who wants to can have children or find a spouse, and this has no bearing on their salvation.
Adoption is glorified by God (and not to say homosexual behavior is spiritually acceptable, but adoption and loving family are possible in homosexual relationships)
This makes it seem less a critical part of our relationship with God, and more a blessing like other blessings.
The leven of the Pharisees narrows the person of God to a more human manageable predictability.
Certainly, there are exceptions--Matthew 19 comes to mind as well as Paul. I think Paul's instruction in 1 Cor. 7 is within the context of the New Creation equivalent of the Genesis mandate, which is "go forth and make disciples." I also know there are individuals who are faithful, repentant Christians who nevertheless struggle with SSA--I don't think it's necessarily a 1:1 that they're being judged. Hard to explain concisely. I mean to point out the interesting connection between right worship and rightly ordered (and fruitful) affections on the one hand, and disordered worship and disordered (and fruitless) affections on the other.
Isn't 28-32 a perfect description of where our society is heading? 🤔😔 That list feels more like a curse than not being able to have kids. Living in amongst that seems like society is judged and whether or not we participate we are along for the ride.
Oh yeah. “So you like sin? See where that road takes you.” Natural consequences.
But yeah, everyone’s in the same boat.
Yes, I think so. Fruitless disorder, almost an "uncreation," is the consequence. You could almost go down through all 10 commandments and see their reversal in those curses.
I think most gays realize this at some point in their lives, that lust isn't enough and their affections bear no fruit, that having children of your own, ones that share both your DNA is paramount to a fulfilled life, and if that is impossible anything short of it is a compromise.