Monday, June 26, 2017

What Is Your Moral Compass?


“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)

A compass is a relatively simple instrument based on a simple concept.  With its northward-facing needle, it is a consistent and true indicator of physical direction.   

The concept of morality is also relatively simple at its absolute core.  It represents conduct or duties based on what is right and wrong. Morality is considered to be the basis of character and is wrapped around ethics.

By placing the word “moral” in front of compass, we envision a clear picture of mental processes that point a person in a particular direction in life.

So, simply stated, a moral compass is the thing inside of us that tells us which direction we should go when we have to make decisions involving right and wrong.   This leads to behavior from which we judge a person’s character based on whether they will make moral and good decisions.

Is morality relative?

Hardly anyone today would deny that in the modern West, the prevailing cultural mood is one of moral relativism.  A majority of people in the United States, for example, would deny that there is any absolute truth, especially when it comes to matters of personal and private behavior.  The problem is even more advanced in Europe.  Most people have a live-and-let-live attitude, and they voice opinions like, “What is right for you may not be right for me” and “Don’t force your morality upon me!”

Moral relativism is the belief that there is no absolute moral law that is relevant to all people, for all time.  It’s the assertion that morality changes with time and culture.  What may have been considered immoral just a few decades ago is no longer deemed wrong, but is now considered acceptable and “right” in most people’s view.

In our pluralistic culture today, is it any wonder that our moral compass points anywhere and everywhere, but to absolute truth?  God is no longer considered real or relevant.  Parents no longer rear their children with biblical instruction, and young people in turn experience a virtual spiritual vacuum.

Then, as we see the chaos that ensues, we cannot accept the violence and depravity that surrounds us.  But we should not despair; there is hope! 

God’s Word provides the unchanging instruction we need.  It’s our moral compass to navigate life in a way that glorifies Him. Take a few moments and read through some of the Bible’s clear directions:

     • Exodus 20:1-17: God’s great commands to obey.
     • Mark 7:20-23: Jesus’ partial list of immoral things to avoid.
     • Ephesians 4:17–5:21: Paul’s contrasting of morally right and wrong behaviors.

If we don’t take the time to study and consciously apply God’s truth to our lives, we’ll remain spiritual   wanderers.  The point of our compass will simply meander along with the directionless crowds.  We need God’s “GPS” to find our way through the wilderness.  His Word alone will give us true moral direction.

Being Christians in this chaotic world, we face the challenge of having our ethics shaped by the culture around us.  That is why we must be careful to discern the messages we are being sent and evaluate them by the standards of God’s Word.  
Our media-driven age makes this even more difficult.  

We are constantly bombarded by narratives that, sometimes subtly and unconsciously, tell us that absolute truth is impossible to know, even intolerant and outdated.  Yet the painful reality of today’s world screams that we have, as a culture, lost our way.  We desperately need to stem the violence, confusion and pain, but society ignores the simple and obvious—but not always easy—solution.  

May we strive not to embrace what the voices around us are telling us is good, but call good only that which our Lord approves.  

 “For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:13-14)








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God has made it possible for you to know Him, and experience an amazing
change in your own life.

Discover how you can find peace with God.











Monday, June 19, 2017

Who is the Holy Spirit?



"But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me…" (John 16:7-9)          


There are many misconceptions about the identity of the Holy Spirit.  Some view the Holy Spirit as a mystical force.  Others understand the Holy Spirit as the impersonal power that God makes available to followers of Christ.   

What does the Bible say about the identity of the Holy Spirit? Simply put, the Bible declares that the Holy Spirit is God.  The Bible also tells us that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, a being with a mind, emotions, and a will.

The Holy Spirit is also the third Person of the Trinity, and probably the least understood member of the Godhead.  Christians can easily identify with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  The Holy Spirit, however, without a body and a personal name, seems distant to many.  For additional study on the Trinity go Here.

It’s difficult for many to grasp the fact that the Holy Spirit is a Him, not an “it.”  And throughout the Bible we see that the Holy Spirit has existed through all eternity.  In the Old Testament, He is referred to as the Spirit, the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of the Lord.  

He participated in creation with the Father and Son where He first appeared in the second verse of the Bible, “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Genesis 1:2)   He filled the prophets with the Word of God, assisted Jesus and the apostles in their mission, and inspired the men who wrote the Bible. 

He gave spiritual gifts for strengthening the body of Christ.  And He dwells inside every true believer, and is a constant companion in the walk of faith; counseling and encouraging Christians as they battle the temptations of the world and the forces of Satan.

In the New Testament we see the Holy Spirit described as a “mighty rushing wind.”  And of His coming upon the disciples as “tongues of fire.” (See Acts 2:1-4)  And at the baptism of Jesus, we read about His “descending as a dove.” (See Luke 3:22)  The Holy Spirit caused the Virgin Mary to conceive. (See Matthew 1:20)  And Jesus also commanded His followers to baptize people “in the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.” (See Matthew 28:19-20)

The Holy Spirit also performs a function for non-Christians as well.  He convicts people's hearts of God's truth concerning how sinful we are and our need of God's forgiveness, how righteous Jesus is, His death in our place for our sins, and God's eventual judgment of the world and those who do not know Him.

The Holy Spirit tugs on our hearts and minds, asking us to repent and turn to God for forgiveness and a new life. (See John 16:8-11)  Without the convicting power of the Spirit, you would never have come to Jesus.  That is why, when I am praying for unbelievers, I pray that God would convict them by His Holy Spirit.

When Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost (See Acts 1:1-4; 2:37), the scriptures say that the people "were cut to the heart." (Acts 2:37)  This phrase describes something that is sudden and unexpected. The Holy Spirit will give you twinges of conscience (guilt) about your sins and your need for Jesus.
 
And finally, the Holy Spirit helps us to pray.  Many times we are disappointed when God does not answer our prayers the way that we want.  Some will even abandon their relationship with Him and give up altogether.  Perhaps we do not understand the true objective of prayer.  Prayer is not a means by which you change the mind or will of God, it is a means by which God changes you!

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20a)





Can God change your life?
God has made it possible for you to know Him, and experience an amazing
change in your own life.

Discover how you can find peace with God.