Whatever Happened to Morals?

by Dan Richardson

In view of man’s behavior today one may ask the above question. Not too many years ago, in a time of more abundant faith in God and the general acceptance of the Bible as God’s word, there existed a common sense of shame and decency in our land which does not exist today. Issues of marital infidelity, divorce, fornication (heterosexual and homosexual), immodest dress, lewd behavior, same sex marriages, and the transgender issue (I filled out a medical form recently that asked if my gender was male, female or other!). Times have changed, but it’s not all for the better. Modern times show immorality as accepted, the “norm,” even applauded.

These changes of attitudes toward morals are now attributed to man’s new-found enlightenment, and lauded as “progress.” To exemplify, consider a statement by a former United States President at a fund-raiser before a group of 600 applauding homosexuals: “I believe that discrimination, because of somebody’s sexual orientation or gender identity, runs counter to who we are as a people. It’s a violation of the basic tenets on which this nation was founded. I believe that gay couples deserve the same human rights as every other couple in this country.” Likewise, our newly elected President recently vowed, in an LGBTQ interview, to pass what he calls the “Equality Act” within the first 100 days of his presidency, extending rights to the homosexual movement.

Such leads many of us to question the accuracy of our President’s understanding regarding the “basic tenets” (a tenet is a central principle of belief), upon which this great nation was founded. The core beliefs of our founding fathers are clearly documented and show a common faith in the sovereign God and Creator of our universe, and expressed by the words, “In God We Trust.” The true God, who reveals Himself in the Bible, condemns homosexuality as sin (Romans 1:26-27), and, therefore, it is not part of one’s genetic makeup. No one is born a homosexual! This was one of the sins the Corinthians were guilty of, but of which they turned away from in genuine obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 6:9-11). It is the rejection of God’s truth which is driving our nation in a downward spiral of moral and spiritual corruption: “Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

With this in mind, we wish to focus attention upon some truths revealed in God’s word, as it relates to man’s moral conduct, using as our text Romans 13:8-14. Our quality of life now, and where we spend eternity, will depend on its understanding and application.

Morals Are a Matter of Duty: “Owe no man anything, save to love one another, for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8). Being created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), we are accountable and subject to divine law revealed to man in the Bible. Like Paul, we are “under law to Christ” (I Corinthians 9:21; Acts 17:29-31). Consequently, all have a “debt” (duty, responsibility) to pay regarding our conduct toward our fellow man. God has revealed the truth regarding how man “ought to walk, and to please God” (I Thessalonians 4:1). God’s law governs all relationships of man in this life:

1. The civil government (Romans 13:1-7; I Peter 2:13-17).
2. Marriage (Hebrews 13:4; I Corinthians 7:1-5; Ephesians 5:22-33).
3. Parents (Ephesians 6:1-4).
4. Work (I Peter 2:18-20; Ephesians 4:28; 6:5-9).
5. Church (Ephesians 1:15- 22; 4:1-16; Hebrews 10:24-25).

Man is blessed in his relationships only when he knows his duty before God and obeys truth in his life.

Morals Are a Matter of Love: “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; love therefore is the fulfilment of the law” (Roman 13:9-10). The Lord identifies this as the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-40). Two observations need to be made here. First, “love” (agape, defined – active good will), is not a mere profession of the lips, but the core principle by which we live our lives. “My little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth. Hereby shall we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our heart before him” (I John 3:18-19). Second, love isn’t a mere ritual to be seen of man, but must originate from a heart genuinely filled with love: “And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned but have not love, it profiteth me nothing” (I Corinthians 13:3). It is Satan’s lie which seeks to condone and justify immoral conduct as love. Don’t be deceived. True love seeks a higher plane.

Morals Are a Matter of Opportunity: “And this, knowing the season that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we first believed. The night is far spent, and the day is at hand …” (Romans 11-12a). In essence, Paul is saying it’s time to wake up! Time is flying by and opportunities are limited. Eternal salvation (cf. I Peter 1:9) is getting nearer with each passing year, month, week, day, minute, and breath!

Some become experts in procrastination, especially concerning the important stuff. They are deceived in thinking they’ll have time to change the direction of their life and please God. Scripture warns: “Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming (exagorazo – buying up the opportunity) the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

We never have yesterday or tomorrow, only NOW (II Corinthians 6:2). Our time will one day end and what then? There will be God’s judgment and Heaven or hell (Hebrews 9:27). Consequently, God demands we live morally pure and holy lives (I Thessalonians 4:1-7).

Morals Are a Matter of Preparation: “Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lust thereof” (Romans 13:12b-14). Twice we observe the expression “let us,” depicting individual responsibility, with both a negative and positive perspective.

Negatively, we must put away “works of darkness.” Many take a fatalist position, i.e., “I’m only human. I can’t help myself.” But God, to the contrary, says we CAN and MUST practice self-control, with God’s strength (Ephesians 6:10). God’s strength in His people is not miraculous, but of faith – man’s response of trusting obedience to the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). God’s grace has appeared “instructing us” (through the “word of his grace,” Acts 20:32), to deny “ungodliness and worldly lust” (Titus 2:11-12a). In like manner, Paul’s list of the works of the flesh warns us to turn away from these things (Galatians 5:19-21).

Positively, those who “walk by the Spirit” will bear the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 22-23). The word of grace instructs positively: “living soberly, and righteously, and godly in the present world” (Titus 2:12b). God’s people are “His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, for good works.”

The scourge of immorality in our time is testimony of man’s alienation of God from their minds/hearts and, instead having focused upon themselves with arrogance and lust, which have led to sexual perversions and false religions (cf. Romans 1:21-32).