One of the most glaring departures from God’s will for man comes in the area of morality. Men now champion fornication of all types, have normalized abortion and homosexuality, and have rejected God’s definition of marriage. An earlier contention that homosexuality is a genetic trait has been exchanged by many for a more extreme view that sexual expression is fluid, and that alternate sexual practices should be tolerated and encouraged.
Greed, pride, selfishness and hate have long been encouraged in the business world. These attributes are predominant in positions of power in government circles as well, to the point that any proclamation of humility and selflessness is met with rolling eyes and incredulity.
Gambling, drinking, drug use, prostitution, abortion, profanity, lasciviousness, lewdness, dishonesty, the list goes on and on. The sad state of our society makes us wonder whether God will soon sit in judgment upon our nation (cf. Acts 17:26-27). While such worldly attributes have been common in every generation, the fact that many who profess Christ champion some or all of them in our time is truly disheartening. They call themselves Christians, but can’t be differentiated from the secular when you examine their moral behavior. They tolerate all types of sin. As Paul put it, they “not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1:32). In fact, the only thing that is not tolerated is the perceived intolerance of those who have the temerity to advocate for God’s view of sin and righteousness.
May I presume for a moment to share Paul’s thoughts on the matter? He told the Ephesians, “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk” (4:17). That walk was described by him, “who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”
One presidential candidate, a practicing homosexual, holds no moral authority in castigating people of faith for a lack of stewardship regarding the environment. And yet, his pontificating is embraced by many who have established their own standard of right and wrong and have rejected the standard established by God Himself.
Paul continues in his address to the Ephesians, “But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (4:20-24).
It is not self-righteous to contend that the Christian standard of morality is the correct standard. This is because it is the Bible standard. It is the standard established by the Creator Himself. People say, “What is moral to you may not be moral to me.” That might be so, but true morality is what God proclaims it to be, regardless of whether you or I willing to acknowledge it.
This important truth needs to be learned and accepted. Our souls depend upon it. May we not be like rebellious Israel of old, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:3). Paul told us the end of those who reject God’s standard. “Those who practice such things are deserving of [spiritual] death” (Romans 1:32).
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