We started a series in the last newsletter called, “The Life We Live” based on Galatians 2:20:
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” What is this life we live in Christ? Well this month how does living this life affect my sense of right and wrong, my morality? This would seem like an essay answer, we follow what God says is right and wrong, but do we? There are many sources for us to consider when trying to decide if an action is okay or is it sin. God’s authority should be at the top of that list, in other words, the Bible. God reveals to us his morality, what he considers right and wrong. If I’m living my life now in Christ, and no longer for myself, it makes sense that God is the one directing my steps.
Too often we never get that far, to sit down and do our Bible study of what God thinks and says. We aren’t very different from our neighbor who doesn’t really care about what God wants; he does either what he wants or what society says. Depending on your society or neighborhood this may be very different from God’s view or it may look pretty good. We often justify our actions by telling ourselves this is what God wants, without ever actually studying it. Churches have often reflected more the norms and morality of society than of God’s true will. If you live in a society where moderate levels of drinking are acceptable you probably see God as also approving of that. If you grow up in a society or culture that views any kind of use of alcohol as sin, then you just as firmly believe that God hates any level of drinking and those who do it. But what does God say?
God hates homosexuality. There are references in both the Old and New Testament to God’s view that this is sin. Therefore God wants me to hate homosexual individuals. Seems like a logical conclusion, but is it? What is our response to be? Anger? Is that what God wants, is that the moral answer? God calls us to compassion and love. Our response to those we disagree with is found in kindness, even turning the other cheek to those who would harm us. This is very different from the culture we live in. If someone does you wrong you must pay them back, an eye for an eye. Following God’s path is never easy. Jesus said the path to destruction was wide and easy, but the path to life was narrow and hard.
So as you face decisions of morality and what stance to take, do your homework. One of the good things about the internet is that it brings resources right to you, even scriptural ones. If you have a question google it. . . “What does scripture say about___?” You still need to sort through what is there and in the end you have to decide what God is teaching you, but it is a start. You can always ask the preacher, though he may google it as well. If we are to live this life, we need the tools and information to make good and moral decisions.
Don
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” What is this life we live in Christ? Well this month how does living this life affect my sense of right and wrong, my morality? This would seem like an essay answer, we follow what God says is right and wrong, but do we? There are many sources for us to consider when trying to decide if an action is okay or is it sin. God’s authority should be at the top of that list, in other words, the Bible. God reveals to us his morality, what he considers right and wrong. If I’m living my life now in Christ, and no longer for myself, it makes sense that God is the one directing my steps.
Too often we never get that far, to sit down and do our Bible study of what God thinks and says. We aren’t very different from our neighbor who doesn’t really care about what God wants; he does either what he wants or what society says. Depending on your society or neighborhood this may be very different from God’s view or it may look pretty good. We often justify our actions by telling ourselves this is what God wants, without ever actually studying it. Churches have often reflected more the norms and morality of society than of God’s true will. If you live in a society where moderate levels of drinking are acceptable you probably see God as also approving of that. If you grow up in a society or culture that views any kind of use of alcohol as sin, then you just as firmly believe that God hates any level of drinking and those who do it. But what does God say?
God hates homosexuality. There are references in both the Old and New Testament to God’s view that this is sin. Therefore God wants me to hate homosexual individuals. Seems like a logical conclusion, but is it? What is our response to be? Anger? Is that what God wants, is that the moral answer? God calls us to compassion and love. Our response to those we disagree with is found in kindness, even turning the other cheek to those who would harm us. This is very different from the culture we live in. If someone does you wrong you must pay them back, an eye for an eye. Following God’s path is never easy. Jesus said the path to destruction was wide and easy, but the path to life was narrow and hard.
So as you face decisions of morality and what stance to take, do your homework. One of the good things about the internet is that it brings resources right to you, even scriptural ones. If you have a question google it. . . “What does scripture say about___?” You still need to sort through what is there and in the end you have to decide what God is teaching you, but it is a start. You can always ask the preacher, though he may google it as well. If we are to live this life, we need the tools and information to make good and moral decisions.
Don
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