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08 Back to Bible Moral Standards
08 Back to Bible Moral Standards
Mike Willis
Jesus condemned the Pharisees for emphasizing ritual purity but overlooking sins. In His final words about the topic, He said, “Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone” (Matt. 15:17-19).
It would be hard for Jesus to have spoken more clearly about sinful conduct. Participating in the worship rituals is useless if one continues to practice immorality. What is said about the list of sins in v. 19 is also true of any other things Jesus condemns as sinful throughout the New Testament scriptures. However, many mainline churches refuse to condemn as sinful practices condemned in the New Testament.
To be clear, all men are guilty of sin, so sinners are invited to worship where they hear the gospel. Jesus associated with sinful men so much that it offended the Pharisees. They asked, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus replied, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners repentance” (Luke 5:30-32). We should invite sinners to worship where we teach them to repentance. The Greek word metanoia is defined as “repentance, turning about, conversion. It is necessary for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47). Gospel preachers call men to repent and bring forth the fruit of repentance (Matt. 3:8) by ceasing the practice of their sins. Here are some sins commonly accepted in some churches.
- Jesus condemned as adultery a person divorcing his/her mate for any reason other than fornication and marrying another as adultery (Matt. 5:31-32; 19:9).
- The inspired apostle Paul included homosexuality in lists of sinful activities (1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Pet. 4:3).
- Paul commanded that Christians flee from fornication (1 Cor. 6:12-20), but many receive into their fellowship those who are living together outside of wedlock.
- Drunkenness is defined as sinful, whether that drunkenness comes from intoxicating beverages or drugs (1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Pet. 4:3).
- Paul forbade women to teach audiences in which men were present (1 Tim. 2:11-12).
- Men and women are forbidden to dress immodestly (1 Tim. 2:9).
- Teenagers as well as adults are commanded not to be involved in sensuality and passions. This would include participating in pornography, however it is marketed (1 Pet. 4:3).
- The unborn baby is human life. The killing of unborn babies in America is celebrated by many people in our culture, as if a woman has the right to take the life of her unborn child. Jesus condemns all murderous acts (Matt. 15:18).
The list could be easily extended, but the point is this: If we “go back to the Bible,” then Jesus has set the moral standard that should govern human conduct. If I am not willing to yield my will to His divine will in my moral standards, why should I expect or hope for salvation today and in the end eternal life? We invite and encourage sinners to come hear the gospel of Jesus and repent of their sins because they believe Him to be the Son of God. You are encouraged to join the rest of us forgiven sinners in offering our praise to God for what He has done to save us from our sins.
