The disturbing Penn State child-abuse scandal graphically illustrates our need for a moral consensus. Who determines right and wrong for us? What moral standard does society agree will determine appropriate behavior?
In recent years progressive thinkers have suggested each person should be free to determine right and wrong on their own. We’ve often heard, “What’s right for you might not be right for me.” And, “Don’t impose your values on me.” That’s an updated version of, “Let your conscience be your guide”.
But we’ve witnessed how a coach’s conscience can be numbed over time to the point he sees nothing wrong with, “just horsing around” with a ten year old boy in the shower. In fact a pedophile could argue, “God made me this way—I’m just doing what comes instinctively. Therefore my behavior should be accepted as normal.”
Others insist that right and wrong can be determined by what is legal. While it appears coach Joe Paterno may have done that which was required by law, the University’s trustees unanimously concurred it wasn’t enough. Paterno, the athletic director and the school’s President were all fired for not having done more.
Some think right and wrong should be determined by majority opinion (what Frances Shaffer once called 51% morality). But the vast majority in Noah’s day were evil. The majority in Germany supported Adolph Hitler.
Others believe respected authorities can determine right and wrong for us. But can they? Obviously not. Those with the most education and those who hold the highest offices in the land are often at opposite ends of the moral spectrum. Witness the difference on the U.S. Supreme Court between Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Anthony Scalia on the issue of abortion.
Only Jesus Christ established a perfect moral code for all humanity by his life and teaching. He boldly stated, “I am the truth,” then validated his claim by dying an atoning death for our sins and rising from the dead. Before he ascended into heaven he reminded his followers that, “all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me, ….now go and teach everything that I have commanded you.”
The Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 5-7 is a summation of Jesus’ teaching on ethics and morality. Read through chapter five and note what Jesus had to say about right and wrong. For example, we are right (and blessed) when we admit we are spiritually poor, mourn for our sins and have a meek, submissive spirit toward God’s authority.
As Jesus’ followers we have a responsibility as salt and light to share his commandments with others – even if they disagree with us and persecute us – because his commandments will endure until the end of time. Murder is evil but so is hatred in the heart. Differences with others can be resolved by courageous, loving confrontation. Adultery is wrong but so is lust in the heart. Tell the truth even when it hurts. Never break an oath. Show compassion even toward those who wrong you. Do more for others than they expect. Go the second mile.
This is such needed stuff! And that’s just the beginning. The Sermon on the Mount is the highest, most practical ethical standard ever given and if adhered to would provide a solid foundation for any culture. Come to think about it that’s where America began and that’s why we’ve been blessed far beyond what we deserve.
President John Adams, our second president, expressed the need for a moral consensus when he said, “Our constitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other.” Adams defined the basis for our nation’s moral standards when he stated, “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.
Hmmmm…Maybe we just need to go back to Biblical basics.
** If you are enjoying this study through the book of Matthew with Bob Russell, be sure to check out Bob’s “Falling In Love With Jesus Again” Bible Study DVD and resources for your small group or church.
