From Ignorance to Grace: Understanding Romans 1:27 as a Gentile

A personal note before today’s reflection:

This post is not aimed at any individual or group. I’m sharing my own journey—from ignorance to understanding—through Scripture. My intention is not judgment, but gratitude for God’s mercy toward me as a Gentile who once lived without knowing His law. When I read Romans 1:27, I’m reminded not of others’ sins, but of how all of us—myself included—fall short without God’s revelation.

Romans 1:27 (NLT)

²⁷ And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

Message

I was born in a Buddhist family, and for many years, I refused to change my religion. When I was 15, I became mysteriously sick for three years. At 18, I was converted to Christianity. But when I didn’t know the Law of Moses written in the Old Testament, I was ignorant of many sins.

Decades later, I decided to read Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy carefully. When I read Leviticus 5 and 15, I learned about the guilt of “uncleanness” for the first time. I discovered when I would become unclean and how long the uncleanness would last. I also learned that being defiled by another person’s uncleanness was my guilt (Leviticus 5:3), and that I should confess my sin and bring a sin offering to make things right with God (Leviticus 5:5–6).

I realized how unclean I had been all the time—not only before I became a Christian but even after—because I didn’t know these laws. I thank God for His great mercy and grace, who saved a Gentile man like me, even though I was often unclean without knowing it.

When I read today’s passage, Romans 1:27 (NLT), I deeply understand how ignorant the Gentiles can be, because they don’t know God’s law. Just as I once lived in ignorance, so many live today without understanding what God calls sin. But now, through Christ, I have come to know the truth. His sacrifice has cleansed me once and for all—not through animal offerings but through His precious blood.

This makes me humble and grateful. Instead of judging others, I remember where I came from. I pray that those who are still unaware of God’s ways will also come to know His truth and mercy, just as I did.

This reflection leads me not to judgment, but to humility. I remember who I was and how much mercy I received. My prayer is not condemnation, but that all of us—wherever we are—may encounter God’s truth, grace, and restoration in Christ.

* God’s image in us gives moral awareness and self-reflection, which can result in inner shame when we act against God’s law—this helped me understand “the penalty within themselves”; for more, see this reflection: https://www.comnc.org/falling-short-of-gods-glory-sin…/