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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
Right or Wrong
Editor’s Note: As a young boy, I was blessed to have many dedicated Bible teachers. I’m not sure which of them gave this to me, but as I was searching through notes taken in the 50’s, I came across the outline that is the basis of the following thoughts. CBG
Mankind seems incapable of discovering and adhering to a system of justice that protects those who cannot protect themselves while also protecting the whole of society from the violence of others. The standards of the past are rapidly becoming moot, and prosecuting those who promote violence often reveals that they have more “rights” than those whose lives they have violated.
There seems to be no true standard of right and wrong, and if the words “right and wrong” are spoken today, most define them as coming from man, not from God.
In spite of all this, there are some forms of behavior that are wrong, sinful, immoral, unethical, evil, pernicious, vile, malignant, foul, reprehensible, depraved, sinister, abhorrent, detestable and rotten.
Whether we agree or not, when God’s Word states that something is wrong, then it is wrong! It is wrong in spite of court decisions, our friends’ opinions, “prevailing community standards” or wide- spread public acceptance.
- Even if everybody does it.
Noah was in the minority in his day, but that did not change the fact that sin had to be eliminated. Right and wrong are not determined by polls or surveys. Even if all your friends are doing it, even if your classmates will make fun of you if you don’t do it, wrong will always be wrong.
- Even if you don’t get caught.
King David seemed to have succeeded in hiding his adultery with Bathsheba, 2 Samuel 11-12, but Nathan made it clear that God is still the ultimate judge. Even the exalted position of the King did not alter the fact that his deeds were wrong. Whether you get caught or “get away with it,” if God has said it is wrong, then it is wrong. Period.
- Even if it is for a worthy cause.
If I do something that violates the principles of the Bible, that act is not made righteous by dedicating the proceeds to some good cause. Al Capone is reputed to have given millions of dollars to selected charities, but that did not cleanse his hands of his many crimes.
Countless school children are pressured to participate in various forms of gambling and lotteries every year, selling raffle tickets or “chances” in an effort to provide funds for the school band, the PTA or the Booster Club. That those causes may be worthy is not disputed, but doing wrong for the sake of a good cause is still wrong (See Romans 3:8 and Mark 7:9-13).
- Even if others do worse things.
How many times has someone tried to justify the use of tobacco or alcohol by saying, “That’s no worse than overeating,” or some other lame excuse. Recent headlines reveal that companies which presently sell cigarettes and other tobacco products are currently using this same defense.
Even if others are doing worse things than you, that does not alter God’s standard of right and wrong. We know that “two wrongs don’t make a right,” and it follows that finding me guilty of two wrongs does not make your wrong “right.”
- Even if your conscience is clear.
Of course it is true that we should not violate that conscience given to us as an “alarm” in our mind, keeping us aware of our commitment to God, reminding us of the significance of maintaining our good influence. When we do violate our conscience, Romans 14:23 tells us that is sin. But what if the conscience does not sound that “alarm,” yet we violate God’s Law? Plain common sense tells us “that makes no difference,” and Scripture concurs.
Saul of Tarsus was guilty of sin when he persecuted first century Christians, but his conscience gave approval to his deeds, Acts 23:1. We must educate our conscience by nourishing it with God’s Word.
- Even if no one thinks anything about it.
Many a parent has heard this excuse. Justification of immodesty is often sought by the words, “nobody thinks anything about it.” The fact that it is a matter of discussion, however, indicates that someone “thinks anything about it.” God thinks something about it, 1 Timothy 2:9, 1 Timothy 4:12. Others think something about it, and when your immodesty causes another to sin, you have then compounded the problem (See Matthew 5:28 and Luke 17:1-2).
In the long run, these excuses reveal that most are unwilling to submit themselves to God. Why not think more spiritually and more soberly about these matters. It is never right to do wrong!
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“I know only that what is moral is what you feel good after, and what is immoral is what you feel bad after.”
“If a man has acted right, he has done well, though alone; if wrong, the sanction of all mankind will not justify him.”
“Morality is the custom of one’s country and the feelings of one’s peers. Cannibalism is moral in a cannibal country.”
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A Christian's Solemn Duty
A Christian is one who has been called out of the world, called out of worldly ways, and into Christ. As a follower and learner of Christ, we have a solemn duty to uphold and exhibit righteousness. This means that we are to walk in the right way, walking in the footsteps of the Savior, like Paul (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Our righteousness is to be exhibited in every walk of life: at home, in the workplace, in our conversations, in recreation, at school, everywhere we go and in everything we do. We are to demonstrate our righteousness as Moses commanded the Israelites in Deuteronomy 6:5-9. Godliness is a way of life, of total life. The reason Moses made such demands on Israel is seen in Deuteronomy 6:3, “Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily…”. This not only stands true for individuals, but even for nations. Solomon said, “Righteousness exalteth a nation…” (Proverbs 14:34).
One area in which we must exhibit our righteousness (that many Christians seem to flippantly overlook) is who we elect to lead our nation. A Christian has a solemn duty to themselves, to our society and to God to vote for those who best stand on moral issues.
Popularity and good looks of the leader does not exalt a nation! King Saul was of goodly stature, and yet he failed to lead the nation in righteousness (1 Samuel 9:2; and chapter 15). When Samuel was sent to Jesse’s house to seek out a new king, Eliab was brought before Samuel and he said, “And it came to pass, when they were come that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him. But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (I Samuel 16:6-7).
A good economy does not exalt a nation! Jesus said, “For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,” (Matthew 24:38). He then said, “…so shall also the coming of the Son of man be,” (verse 39).
Economically things were great, but because righteousness was severely lacking, the world was destroyed by the flood, and it will be destroyed in the end. The Chaldeans were living it up and feasting heavily the day the Medes took over the kingdom, we read in Daniel, chapter 5. A strong economy does not make a strong nation. Solomon clearly said, “Righteousness exalteth a nation.”
When a candidate and his party firmly stand behind such things as abortion, homosexuality and every other immoral issue, our nation must beware because, “Sin is a reproach to any people,” (Proverbs 14:34b). Christians, on the other hand, must defend morality for two reasons: we know that we are exalted only through righteousness, and we, as children of God, have a solemn responsibility to uphold such.
Christian, know where your candidate stands on moral issues, and remember this when you vote!
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