Moral Bankruptcy and our role

It often has been said that you cannot legislate morality. Probably right. You can't force someone to be moral. In fact, this is exactly what we see happening with Islam--it forces a standard of morality upon its people using fear and control. And if you don't believe the way Islam wants, or submit to it, the system brings bodily harm or death upon you. How anyone can think this is an honorable and peaceful quality is beyond good sense. The approach of the one true God is voluntary. One accepts his Son and becomes transformed into a new person, voluntarily living by the precepts of what is right and moral and working out the gift of salvation. One way results in death; the other in life more abundantly. But what of morality?

While we cannot force someone to be moral, we can lead by example. Problem is, our example has been sitting on the bench while immorality is flaunting its example in almost every facet of the game of life. Often when the opportunity to suggest morality presents itself, it is done the wrong way--by preaching to and judging those who are immoral. This results in resentment and leads to even more immorality. Even in discussions that are sincere and honest, people will judge your good intent from the intents of their own hearts, which casts you in an immoral light. Hence, you believe homosexuality is sin, and the person listening to you says you are a bigot. They are judging you from their own heart.

The depth of immorality in our own society has become so deep that it is accepted practice. How many folks do you know who have not only lived together before they were married, but have children before they are married? This is far beyond the boundaries of social morals applied less than 50 years ago. It has crept into society as an accepted norm. How did this happen? This is just one example. A harsher one is the number of babies in the womb who have been legally murdered since 1973--over 60 million in this nation alone. Accepted practice. One can talk about abortion and its horrible impact of death and destruction, guilt and depression, but once again, you will be judged from another heart's intent.

Immorality has become so ingrained in our daily lives that many participate in it or even sanction it without realizing what they are doing, or for fear of alienating a friend or loved one. This "immorality creep" is a bane to our national existence and a threat to our national security. It is well out of control. But there is a solution. It's not in preaching or lecturing, although there is a time for that. It is in living out your relationship with the Lord. It is by example and by relationship. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world," and in verse 16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." You have the light others need. Keep it shining!