Welcome back to Face the Truth.
Today, we’re facing the truth about legality and morality.
Now we learned from the Holy Scriptures that we should not be moved to do wrong by the
general opinion.
Now just because a majority believes that something is right does not mean it’s right.
But does this mean that we should not obey or respect the law of the land, or what is legal?
So what should man follow?
Let’s go to the book of Matthew chapter 22 the verses are 17 to 21 this is stated:
So tell us what you think.
Is it right to pay taxes to the emperor or not?”
Jesus recognized their evil plan, so he asked, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?
Show me a coin used to pay taxes.”
They brought him a coin.
He said to them, “Whose face and name is this?”
They replied, “The emperor’s.”
Then he said to them, “Very well, give the emperor what belongs to the emperor, and give
God what belongs to God.” [Matthew 22:17-21 GWT]
Now at this instance, our Lord Jesus Christ
was asked if it is lawful to pay taxes to the emperor or not.
Our Lord Jesus Christ answered, “give the emperor what belongs to the emperor and give
God what belongs to God.”
So what did our Lord Jesus Christ mean in this instance?
He means that we need to follow and respect the law of the land.
But what if there is a contradiction?
What if the emperor, or the government for that, permits something, but God says no to it?
What are we to do?
Well the Apostles explain to us here in the book of Acts the chapter is 5 and the verse
is 29, the Apostle said this:
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. [Acts 5:29 NKJV]
Now when we must make a choice between what
God deems right or wrong versus what man considers right or wrong the Apostles tells us, “we
must obey God rather than men.”
Well why choose God’s ways over man’s ways and thoughts?
Let’s read the book of Isaiah 55 the verses are 8 and 9 again the answer of the Holy Scriptures:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
[Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV]
God’s ways and thoughts are higher than man’s.
Now we as human beings could never out-reason or out-think God.
And definitely, we could not be more righteous than the Lord God.
In truth, we have very limited knowledge about life – period.
Now many times what we think is right is actually harmful to us.
In fact, this was actually stated in the book of Proverbs chapter 14 and the verse is 12
this is written:
Some people think they are doing what’s right.
But what they are doing will really kill them.
[Proverbs 14:12 NCV]
Now people may think is right or moral may turnout wrong, and at times, may even lead
to death.
Now God is the one to consult on what is right from what is wrong.
Now how can we consult God?
How can we find out what God tells us to be right or to be wrong?
Let’s read from the book of II Timothy the chapter is 3 the verses are 15 through 17
the Apostles, again, give us the answer:
remember how you have known from childhood the sacred writings that can impart saving
wisdom by faith in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for amendment,
and for moral discipline, to make the man of God proficient and equip him for good work
of every kind.
[II Timothy 3:15-17 Moffatt version]
Now where can we find God’s words?
Well they are written in the Bible.
Therefore the Holy Scriptures is what we should follow or consult when determining what is
right and what is wrong.
Now what’s one practice, for example, that the majority accept as something right and
has already been legalized?
Let’s take a look at this:
Actress: I think having a fight, an out-and-out,
outrageous, ridiculous fight is one of the greatest exercises in marital togetherness.
News Anchor:…
Katie Holmes apparently moved out the same day she filed for divorce from Tom Cruise.
Divorce Court voiceover: In today’s session of Divorce Court – after six years of marriage
Kimberly Alexander is divorcing Nick Alexander
Voiceover: Welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’ll be counting down our picks
from the top 10 most notable celebrity divorces.
Kim Kardashian: Chris and I are meant to be here, we’re meant to be married and be husband
and wife.
Mojo.com voiceover: Kicking-off our list is the shortest celebrity marriage to make the
cut.
Divorce Court voiceover: When Divorce Court continues.
Judge Toler rules in the case of Charles vs Sarah Shropshire.
Now Americans for divorce reform estimate that about 50% of all marriages in America,
end in divorce.
And internationally divorce rates are rising.
Now we should bear in mind that the standard of morality is the word of God written in
the Holy Scriptures.
Now what does God himself say about divorce?
This is written in the book of Malachi the chapter is 2 and the verse is 16, the very
words of God:
“For I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel.
[Malachi 2:16 NLT]
Notice that God hates divorce.
So for man divorce is ok.
It’s internationally accepted as right because the majority and the law agree.
However, God says, “I hate divorce.”
For God divorce is wrong.
Now if we take a look at the effects of divorce, it’s easy to see that God is right.
What are the bad results of divorce?
Let’s take a look at this:
Alrighty, next up this morning, with at least half of all American marriages ending in divorce more than 1 million children each
year are left to cope with the breakup of their family.
TV Host: Does anybody want to say anything about that?
About their own family and about the divorce…
Child 1: Well, I mean, the biggest part is that your parents aren’t together anymore.
That’s the biggest part and that’s the most basic.
Child 2: The first night I heard about it, it almost scared me.
For 2 and a half years I cried before I went to sleep – my dad would put me to sleep
and then I would start crying.
Child 1: It’s kind of like a nightmare.
TV Host: It’s kind of like a nightmare, you’re right…
What are the negative effects of divorce?
Well, broken families, and homes.
Physical and mental well-being of both the man and the woman.
Some studies even show that divorced men and women are more likely to die prematurely.
Let’s not forget the toll it takes on the children.
Now in truth the negative effects are too many to mention.
The sad stories are endless.
So this is just one example of why we should obey God rather than man when it comes to
determining what is morally right or wrong, or legal versus illegal.
Now when we come back we’ll take a look at another example of this.
Please don’t go away.