Every day, media sources report poll results on moral topics such as same-sex marriage and abortion, trying to take America’s pulse on these issues. The media also frequently cover federal court rulings on abortion or marriage legislation the states have passed. But a judge’s ruling should not be deemed valid if the judge’s viewpoint contradicts what holy God says in His written Word to mankind – for God alone is the Righteous Judge (2 Timothy 4:8). Just as the world turns according to the physical laws God has established (planetary motion, gravity, etc.), so too has God provided immutable moral laws to guide our thoughts, actions, and decisions.
The Bible clearly teaches “You shall not murder” (Deuteronomy 5:17). Abortion is the murder of an unborn child. No amount of rationalizing the circumstance of the pregnancy can legitimize the taking of the unborn child’s life. Today there are numerous adults who were conceived in rape or incest and are very thankful their mothers chose to give them life. Citizens should listen to these adults’ testimonies, for they demonstrate that the God who creates each unborn child has a purpose for that individual’s life (Psalm 139:13-16).
The Bible also teaches that homosexuality is an abomination to the Lord, with dire consequences for the person who follows the path of sexual immorality (Romans 1:24, 26-27; Revelation 21:8, 22:15). The teaching that people are to shun sexual immorality in all its forms (fornication, adultery, homosexuality, bestiality) is emphasized in both the Old and New Testaments. Why is sexual purity so important? For followers of Christ, our body is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and it is reprehensible to violate that sacred presence by immoral conduct (I Corinthians 7:13b, 15-20). For all mankind, God has clearly pronounced that our pattern of behavior in this life affects our eternity (I Cor.7:9-10; Rev. 21:8, 22:15), with the good news being that those who acknowledge Christ as their Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-13) and turn away from sexual sin will be accepted into the eternal presence of Holy God (I Corinthians 7:11).
Efforts to legalize immoral activities such as abortion and same-sex marriage through legislative action or judicial activism will never change the truth of God’s Word or His intent for humanity to be holy (I Thessalonians 4:3). God’s law still stands despite man’s laws in opposition to Divine Law, and we must follow God’s law or reap the consequences. The “majority” of Noah’s day voted in favor of wickedness. God responded with judgment, sparing only one righteous man and his family (Genesis 6:1- 9:19). The “majority” of Sodom and Gomorrah also voted in favor of wickedness. God again responded with judgment, sparing only Lot and his family (Genesis 13:5-13, 18:16-19:29).
The wickedness of our nation is profound, extending far beyond the topics of abortion and same-sex marriage. It is evidence of God’s grace that we haven’t already received the judgment He heaped on Nineveh (see the book of Nahum). Like Nineveh, we have led other nations in idolatry, exporting our sins through our foreign policy, economics, and media. If we continue on this path of unrighteousness, it is only a matter of time before we suffer the same fate as Nineveh.
I urge my countrymen to turn back to the Lord and His commands, which are intended for our benefit, not our destruction. As written in I John 5:3, “the commands of the Lord are not burdensome.” Instead, they establish boundaries of thought and behavior that result in personal peace, right relationships, and a just and moral society. The Lord also promises that “blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12). God is our Creator and we are His creation (Psalm 100:3): It is He who gets to “make the rules,” not us! His glory and majesty are recorded in His creation, so we are without excuse to acknowledge His supreme power and authority over us (Romans 1:20). God’s rules for mankind are also recorded in the Bible (which has been translated into our language and is available to every person in the United States), so we are doubly without excuse! God has said that “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Let the words of our mouth be an echo of God’s servant Joshua who declared, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15c).
Are you on the side of the Righteous Judge or on the side of those who are seeking to legitimize immorality? Be careful not to sit on the fence, for Jesus says, “He who is not with me is against me” (Luke 11:23). Know what God requires of man (Micah 6:8), and then be obedient. In his final words of Ecclesiastes (10:13-14), King Solomon tells us “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Do not be swayed by your neighbor’s response to the latest poll. Only One opinion matters.
“I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; and that His justice cannot sleep forever.” Thomas Jefferson
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Evalyn Bennett is an evangelical Christian from east-central Idaho.
