An Objective Standard

There is much talk today about “Right” and “Wrong.” Especially at times of national or local crisis, or at national or local elections, men and women sometimes bring up the idea of “Right” and “Wrong.” What I want to think about today is the thought of Right and Wrong, and where this idea comes from, and where and how Right and Wrong can be properly understood. And also, I want to remind each and every one of us, that there is an Objective Standard of Righteousness that we will all one day be held accountable to.

Natural Morality

The concept of Right and Wrong, or we might more easily call it “Morality,” has been in existence as long as man has been alive. You and I know that humanity began with the Creation of Adam and Eve. You and I know that Adam and Eve received instruction from God, and so had a good concept of Right and Wrong (or Good and Evil). However, many people today seem to deny the Creation Account, and they seek to find other ways to explain the existence of man. Even these people, though, must admit that mankind has always had some idea of Morality. As far back as man goes, Morality, to some extent, either ignored or observed, can be found. This is true when we investigate the annals of history, and this is assumed even in those peoples and civilizations where we have no written or verbal history. I believe it to be simply a fact that men are born and are raised with some idea of Right and Wrong.

Where does this inner and practical Morality come from? Men may attribute it to some natural means, and seek to leave the Creator out of the equation, but it must be admitted that this natural and practical Morality does exist. We read in Rom. 2:13-15, “(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)” Today, men and women seek to trivialize “Right” and “Wrong” (or Good and Evil) by saying that there are no absolutes. Well, if this is the case, where do we draw the line? If there are no Absolutes, then we can justify any deeds in our own eyes. If it is OK to murder an unborn baby, then why isn’t it legal to kill an elderly person through Euthanasia? If it is OK to eliminate an unborn life because it is the cause of some inconvenience, or if it is OK to end our own life, or the life of a loved one because that life is no longer an enjoyable life, then why is it not OK to kill someone else that may in some other way “inconvenience” us? When we take away the absolute that it is “Wrong” to take a life without “Just Cause,” then we leave the door open to all manner of ideas as to the appropriateness of when and where to take the life of another human beings. And, if we decide that it is unfair to impose our idea of “Morality,” or even a Nation’s idea of “Right” and “Wrong,” upon any particular individual, then the unquestioned result will be anarchy. The Book of Judges is an example of this. We read in Jud. 17:6 and Jud. 21:25, “…every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” If men begin to deny the idea of an Absolute “Right” and “Wrong,” then every thing becomes relative. Men begin to say that Homosexuality is not wrong, because too many people are of that persuasion. Men begin to say that Homosexuality is not wrong because it must be that they were born that way. Even today, in our Morally Depraved Condition, do we, as a people, allow murderers and rapists to commit their crimes and go unpunished because there simply are a lot of people that are willing to commit these crimes? Certainly, the quantity of people willing to do things that are contrary to Morality does not make the deeds that they do justifiable? And if a murderer or rapist claims that he only committed those crimes because he was “born with that inclination in his heart,” does that mean that we allow him to go free? Does his claim of an inborn inclination to do wickedness make the wickedness itself “Right?” I think that we, as a Nation, need to consider the flawed logic that we use to justify the presence of these wicked deeds in our public sphere.

The Natural Morality that man has is often spoken of as a “conscience.” The Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter both speak of the “conscience” in their writings. If we read some of the occurrences of this word in their writings, we will find that the “conscience” is applicable both to the saved and to the unsaved. Paul says in Rom. 9:1, “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost…” The Apostle Paul is here referring to his own conscience. Later, Paul tells Timothy that a qualification of being a deacon is to be one that is “Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.” (1Tim. 3:8.) So, it is obvious that a “conscience” is something that the saved possess. And in fact, we are instructed to observe the inclinations of that conscience as long as the inclinations are spiritually commendable.

But, the “conscience” is also spoken of in connection with the unsaved. Paul says in 1Tim. 4:1-2, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” Now whether these are unsaved or not, some may argue; but it is certainly clear that these are walking in an ungodly manner – and yet Paul speaks of them having a conscience. Perhaps an even clearer statement is found in Tit. 1:15, “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” Surely this verse is all the evidence that we need, that men are born with a conscience.

Men are born with a natural understanding (to some degree) of Right and Wrong. This understanding can be ignored, neglected, seared with a hot iron, and even totally defiled so that it cannot be heard or trusted. Through understanding and practice the Conscience can be either improved or it can be even further defiled. But it does not change the fact that men do possess some natural idea of Right and Wrong. I think that the understanding of the origination of this “conscience” will go a long way in determining the spiritual state of a man. When mankind seeks to attribute Natural Morality to man himself, then he usually goes on to deny the Authority and / or Creative Prowess of our God. However, when a man acknowledges God as the Creator, and acknowledges Him as the originator of Right and Wrong, then man begins to understand his own Subjectivity and the Objectivity of God. A man that believes in his own inherent goodness, and his own ability to observe Right and Wrong, will without fail corrupt his conscience and further defile his already depraved mind. However, even an unsaved man that acknowledges God as the Creator and as the Legislator of Morality – that man will be restrained through his own fear of God and of possible consequences for Immoral activities.

Godly Morality

It is not God that does the searing or defiling of the conscience of man, but rather it is his own evil tendencies. However, it is God, in the case of the saved individual, that will strengthen, lead, instruct, and even guide the human conscience through and by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This Godly Morality is a Morality that proceeds to a level that natural man cannot attain unto. If God is the source of the natural conscience (which conscience is largely ignored, and then destroyed through practice by the natural man), then He is certainly the Author of the Morality that is sought by all of those that are saved.

Today, in our nation and indeed in all of the world around us, the Morality of the Christian is not largely distinguishable from the Morality of the unsaved. We, as Christians, have allowed our ideas of Morality to be influenced by the world around us. What was considered indecent one generation ago, is acceptable today. What was considered heinous one hundred years ago, is laughed at today. What was cause for dismay and even societal exclusion two or three centuries ago, is actually encouraged and / or protected by law in the society in which we live today. And we, as Christians, have played our part. We have not stood up and declared sin to be sin. We have not spoken out about the sinfulness of nudity and pornography in our Nation today. We have not cried out, “Homosexuality is Sodomy, and Sodomy is Sin!” We, as Christians and as the Churches of Jesus Christ, have not preached against the break-up of the family, but have rather participated in the demise of one of the two great institutions that grace the face of this earth (the Family and the Church).

Why do we go about blaming the world around us for the lack of Godly Morality? Should we have expected anything less? Surely we cannot blame the world for acting in a worldly manner? Surely we cannot blame sinners, who are lost and undone, for the sin that they commit? The World of Sinners is only going about doing what comes naturally – sinning against God. No, it is my contention that the state of our world today, and the lack of Christ in Christianity today, can only be blamed on those of whom better things were expected – the Children of God, and the Churches of Jesus Christ in particular. As servants of Christ, we have not lived up to the calling that we were called unto.

Now, I know that it is the Will of God that the earth would descend into an abyss of immorality so that He can justly destroy the earth with fire and judge the works of a wicked humanity. But shouldn’t you and I desire that this Moral Demise would not come on our watch? Shouldn’t you and I desire that, at least, this Nation that we live in, would stand as a Beacon of Righteousness and Morality in the Day of the Lord? Remember that we are ambassadors for Christ. “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” (2Cor. 5:20.) Wouldn’t you rather that the judgment of God would not come upon this world during our Ambassage? It is true that the world shall be judged by God for it’s wickedness, but wouldn’t it be better if we were instruments that were used to restrain that wickedness, rather than being the Soldiers on Duty when the wickedness reached it’s peak and men were judged?

Where is Godly Morality today? I find it largely lacking in all of the world today. But where should Godly Morality be found? It should be found in the hearts, minds, actions, and words of each and every Christian. But instead we find that Christians are consumed with things of the world. Christians today are more concerned about a job promotion than they are concerned about edifying the Spiritual man and going on to deeper and greater things in the Joy of Christ. We are told in Heb. 5:12-14, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Christians today, are more concerned about increasing their skill in the things of the world than they are about increasing their skill in the oracles of God. Christians today are more concerned about growing and bettering their physical understanding and their physical attributes than they are about growing and bettering their spiritual abilities. Those that are saved should not remain babes in Christ. Rather they should grow up. We should partake of the milk, but then we should graduate unto the strong meat of the Word and the Service of our God. When we use the Word of God, and when we use and exercise the spiritual man that is within us, then our senses will be exercised to discern both good and evil.

But that’s not all. When we discern both good and evil, we don’t just notice that one is good and one is evil. But rather, we discern…good and we do it; we discern…evil and we flee from it. “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” (Prov. 4:14-15.) We read also in Ps. 34:13-14, “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” We must point out to others that which is good, and we must cry out against that which is evil. You see, this is Godly Morality, not just in thought or understanding, but also in Action.

Today, as Christians, we in many cases do not have a proper understanding of Right and Wrong (good and evil), but besides this we do not Act upon that which we understand. Just to know Right and Wrong is not enough – we must Act upon our Godly Morality that is given to us. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (Ja. 1:22.) We need to be doers of Godly Morality, and not hearers only. One of the verses that we read at the beginning of this message went like this: “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” (Rom. 2:13.)

The Holy Word of God

If a Christian seeks a way to become a better student of Godly Morality, then let him turn to the Word of God. It is in the Word of God that we will find both Understanding of God’s Morality, and also the Ability to do God’s Morality. Paul told Timothy, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Tim. 2:15.) Paul also told Timothy, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Tim. 3:14-17.) It is our duty as Christians to study the Word of God, to be steeped in the Holy things found in the Bible, and to live our lives as though we understood those things.

How can we expect the world around us to demonstrate the Morality that is taught in the Bible, when we, the ones that should know and understand the things of God, either don’t know much about the Bible, or at least are living our lives as if we didn’t understand the Morality that is taught us in the Bible? The Bible has a precise definition of Right and Wrong. The Godly Morality that is taught in the Bible is as Objective as God Himself – for it is His Word. Why, then, do we ignore wrong when we see it? Why, then, don’t we cry out against the wickedness of our day? Are these things that go on in our Nation today (Abortion, Homosexuality, Pornography, Adultery, Idolatry, etc…) acceptable just because the world says they are? Did God somehow change? I think that the fault lies squarely on our shoulders. We have not been the examples, and the preachers, and the teachers that we should have been. The world, which does not possess the Godly Morality that comes from the Indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit, did not have the example that we should have been leaving for it all along. Therefore, the world became emboldened by our inaction and indeed by the lack of a Standard by which to compare it’s own activities, and Sin and Wickedness began to reign even in the Public Eye. Today the wickedness of the world has gotten to such a place that it is now even commended and protected by the Laws of our Land! God help us, and God forgive us!

Conclusion

This message today, is not a message that is intended to instruct or exhort us in any particular deeds, thoughts, or actions. But it is one that is meant to remind us of the overall importance of the Objective Standard that is demonstrated in Christ Jesus, and is delivered to us in the Holy Word of God. There is a Right and there is a Wrong. Many times today we seek to muddy the waters a little bit, and to disguise Wickedness in some mantle of Goodness. Or we subscribe to the idea that there are “Gray areas” in the Word of God that are not clear as to whether a certain thing is Right or Wrong. I tell you today, that every deed, thought, or word of man is seen by God and compared to the Objective Standard of Righteousness. You and I may not agree on every detail of that Standard, and certainly I believe that there will be sincere differences of opinion on some doctrinal and practical matters amongst the Churches of Jesus Christ. But this ignorance on our part does not change the objectivity of God. He, at least, has a perfect understanding of Right and Wrong. But, I also believe that you and I know much more about Right and Wrong then we normally let on. We know when we compare certain tendencies with Scripture whether these things are Right or Wrong. And yet many times we continue to do those things which are obviously Wrong. What’s more, when we do this, we acknowledge to the world that we condone these things. So how can we be an effective witness unto the world when we participate in their evil tendencies?

You know, in the OT we find a man named Lot. Lot lived a life in the City of Sodom that was not above reproach. Therefore, when the Lord God was about to destroy the City, and Lot sought to warn others about the imminent destruction, they would not hear him. We read in Gen. 19:14, “And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons-in-law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons-in-law.” I hope and pray that this will not be our fate in this day. I hope and pray that my witness, and your witness (if you are saved) will be such that people will hear us when we cry out. I hope and pray that the world will freely admit that we, as Christians, are not of the world. I hope and pray that our voices will be voices of Morality in these days, and that God will use us to preach and teach Morality and that the Fear of God will once again reign in this Nation.

Remember, we can’t rely upon political leaders and worldly men and women to institute morality – for their consciences may be seared. But, it is the responsibility of the People of God, and of the Churches of Jesus Christ in particular, to demonstrate Morality and the Fear of God to all of the world around us. We have got in the situation that we are in (socially speaking) because in the past we have relied upon men and women who were not recipients of the Grace of God in Salvation to prosper the Morality of our Nation. It is not the Government’s Duty to Preach Morality, but it is ours. We need to turn our Nation back unto God, not just through Government, but let us take a more careful approach, and let us seek to preach and teach the people so that they will know “Right” and “Wrong” and so that souls will be saved. Then, when the people have this understanding in their hearts, and the Fear of God in their lives, they will elect those people that will reflect these values. Then this Nation will desire a Government and leaders that will adhere to the Objective Standard of the Word of God.

Let us continue to be the Examples that we should be, and trust God to bring about the results. Let’s don’t let our Time of Duty be the Watch that allowed this Nation, and the World in general to degenerate to an even lower morality. (See Ezek. 33:1-9.)