Moral Relativism in the Last Days Prophesied

 

Prophecy indicates that moral behavior and attitudes in the last days will be much like that of
Sodom and Gomorrah.“...in the last days… men will be lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God…” 2 Timothy 3:1-7

 

Moral Relativism vs. God's Standards

We live in an era when moral standards are not absolute but are subject to change, depending on the popular culture of the time. This moral relativism presents a great challenge for Christians to sort out what is truly virtuous.

Unfortunately, in an effort to be progressive, some church attitudes on morality have been negatively influenced by the world’s distorted notions of righteous behavior. The media has brought to this generation the thought of being politically correct, and in an effort to reach out to everyone, it is not uncommon for some of today’s churches to adopt this philosophy and condone all manner of worldly practices such as drunkenness, gambling, unwed couples living together, abortions, adultery and even homosexuality and transgenderism. Pulled along with the popular trends, these churches not only condone, but even invite and applaud behavior which is strictly forbidden under the moral code of conduct set forth in the Bible.

One of the most obvious examples of moral relativism permeating the news today is the gender reassignment of an internationally famous individual. Such behavior is forbidden under the Law of God: "A woman shall not wear man's clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman's clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God." (Deuteronomy 22:5 NAS) Not only so, but this behavior is also considered unhealthy by well-respected psychologists such as Dr. Paul McHugh, the former chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University. He cites a recent study which revealed that the suicide rate among individuals who had gender reassignment surgery is 20 times higher than the suicide rate among non-transgenders. See The Wall Street Journal, "Transgender Surgery Isn't the Solution," June 12, 2014.

God's Love in His Moral Code

It is claimed by some well-meaning Christians that God is love, and so, He must love everyone, whatever the life-style of choice, as long as it is socially acceptable. Yes, God IS love, but because He loves, He also sets down righteous laws to live by, so that His creation might live in health and harmony with one another. To think otherwise is to ignore the Scriptures which teach that the Christian is to “abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” In fact, the Christian should not only obey the moral standards of God’s Word, but in addition, he should not even give the appearance of evil. (1 Peter 2:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:22) Therefore, while we love the individual, we must teach what is right and wrong in the eyes of our Creator. "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good." (Romans 12:9) "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat... strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Hebrews 5:12-14

Yes, God has set before us moral absolutes which are rooted in His desire that all of His creation would someday conform to His sacred likeness. God created Adam in His likeness and image, and when Adam chose to live contrary to this, death and depravity was the penalty exacted upon him and his posterity. Although all have inherited imperfection, they have also inherited the ability to worship and reason. Reason teaches that to live in health and harmony, there must be certain moral codes to live by — for the Christian, these moral principles are spelled out in the Scriptures.

Who Bears Responsibility for Moral Erosion?

Although the news media and entertainment industries bear much responsibility for normalizing what God calls reprehensible acts, we must remember that the world is not claiming to be led by Biblical standards. The shepherds of the flock are greatly responsible for teaching and exhibiting high moral standards in the church, but it is ultimately the responsibility of each individual Christian to see to it that he lives in harmony with the standards set forth in the Bible to the best of his ability. Christians are to be lights in the world, holding up the standard of Biblical principles and practicing what we preach.(Matthew 5:14) But, where careless living is not challenged by the truth of God's righteous laws of conduct, hypocrisy becomes the standard.

A case in point is evident in the many scandals that have rocked the world’s churches in the past few decades, and the degree of depravity is truly appalling. Until being revealed in 2002, the Roman Catholic Church had kept hidden the devastating problem of sexual predators among its priesthood to avert a scandal and preserve its own interests. According to a study by researchers from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, approximately 4,400 priests and deacons abused more than 11,000 minors from 1950 to 2002 — and this is only recent history where credible allegations can be documented by actual victims. Those who put their trust in the Catholic system have surely had their faith shaken by such hypocrisy. Although this case is extreme, it points out the importance of not trusting in earthly organizations, but looking only to the pure example of Christ.

When Christians join in with society in applauding life choices that God considers an abomination, it shows just how far the standard has been pulled down. It is the responsibility of each Christian to work out his own salvation. (Philippians 2:12) One should seek to learn what God’s perspective is on morality through His holy Word, leave the company of those who practice moral depravity, and then seek the company of those who exhibit a higher Christian standard.

“Glorify God in Your Body" ...1 Corinthians 6:20

The world may choose any life-style desired, but, if one has given his life to the Lord in full consecration, he has stated that he desires to live a godly life. 2 Peter 1:1-10 gives the formula for living a godly life, however, the Christian must also use spiritual common sense. For example, there is no passage in the Bible which states definitively that a Christian should not smoke. But, if the Christian has given over his will to an addiction, then he has not given his will completely to God. “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” (1 Corinthians 6:12) Thus, where there is no direct command, the child of God will make earnest strides to live in conformity to the principles of righteousness set forth in the Bible that he might glorify God: “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body...” See 1 Corinthians 6:9-20 and Romans 6:4-18

As we see that this present social structure is being dissolved, it is timely for Christians to reset their moral clocks, so to speak, in order to evaluate whether they have allowed the moral standards of the world to be their guide, or whether they have continued in the only safe path of righteousness — that which is laid out in the Word of God. “Seeing that all these things shall be dissolved [this present evil world] what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?” 2 Peter 3:11

To read the rest of this short article on Morality, click on this link: "Morality in the Church: Lifting Up the Standard in an Evil Day"