On the Moral Priorities

Scripture: In asking you to do this, we’re not going back on our agreement regarding non-Jews who have become believers. We continue to hold fast to what we wrote in that letter, namely, to be careful not to get involved in activities connected with idols; to avoid serving food offensive to Jewish Christians; to guard the morality of sex and marriage. Acts 21:25

Observation: The early Church had already made some decisions about what it meant to be a gentile believer. Gentiles were not Jews and therefore not subject to the Law. However, they did need to observe the moral teachings of the Law. In addition to being kind to Jewish believers by not tempting them with unclean food, there were really two key elements of the Law that effectively covered everything ... do not worship idols (in other words, love and worship only the Lord), and avoid sexual immorality (in other words, hold sacred the way that the Lord has created mankind).

Application: It is amazing to think how wise these two elements have proven to be, and how well the first century believers understood the way the evil one would undermine humans. As we sit here today with a culture that worships earthly success above all else ... while celebrating sexual perversion and chasing after lusts in ways that destroy families and lives ... it is obvious that taking care of just these two priorities would create so much peace and joy in the world.

In the last few days, I have thought deeply about the issue of "the morality of sex and marriage" and the fact that the root cause of the fight my in-laws are in is not about human actions, but about this one issue, and how the solution is to bring people to faith in Jesus. This was known 2,000 years ago; that faith in Jesus should include observance of the teachings about sexual morality, which in turn grows the faith and brings peace, joy, love, and kindness into our hearts. The primary issue is not that individuals confused about their identity and thus pursue a path of sexual perversion, can receive assistance from greedy and corrupt professionals that worship money they can receive for their medical practices. The primary issue is that neither of these types of people have the love of Jesus in their lives and in their hearts.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we know that the answer to every problem and issue in the world is Jesus. Please help us to simply tell others the good news of Jesus, and of the love and hope and peace available to those who simply believe. May our message be simple, for thy will to be done. Amen.