Have You Broken God’s Law?

God's moral commands are laid down for our good. He calls us to love our enemies instead of hating them, forgiveness rather than bitterness, sexual purity as opposed to sexual promiscuity and humility over pride. - Clint Decker

Annually, I fly out of the country for mission work in Africa. Therefore, as required by U.S. law, I need a passport. Section 215 of the Immigration and Nationality Act states, It is “…unlawful for a United States citizen to attempt to depart from or enter the United States without a valid passport, except as authorized by the President.” If I violate that law, it carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. If I violate it for drug trafficking purposes it carries a 15-year sentence, and for international terrorism it can be up to 20 years. (Image by Istock) 

All 243 nations and territories of the world have laws to help govern their people. And beyond nations, there are church laws, business policies and family household rules—all of these set expectations for others.   

The English word for law, refers to a system of rules that have been laid down, or set in place, for people or an entire society. The system of rules (or laws) then influences moral behavior, determining what is right or wrong. 

In the U.S. passport law, do you see the moral nature of it? It is communicating to citizens that deception, lying, as well as drug trafficking and terrorism are wrong. It influences behavior. 

One writer on Islamic law states, “Islam does allow polygamy…[it] limits the number of wives…to four…” The Koran says, “But if you feel you may not be able to deal justly between [many wives], then marry only one.” (Holy Qur’an, 4:4). Do you see the immoral nature of this Islamic law? It influences behavior by communicating that polygamous marriages are permissible. 

As we see, laws can be either good or evil. There are also cases where laws may not be enforced regardless of their moral nature, and in some cases where laws are enforced, it may be done with a form of bribery to get a particular result.  

Where did this whole concept of “law” come from? The Lord God. The Scripture says, “There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy.” (James 4:12) Millenia ago God laid down mankind’s first-ever laws governing marriage, family, work, as well as boundaries for what they could and could not do. He declared, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) Unfortunately, our first parents, Adam and Eve, violated God’s law and suffered the consequences. Ever since, we have continued turning aside from God’s ways.     

His moral commands, for both the heart and life, are laid down for our good. He calls us to love our enemies instead of hating them, forgiveness rather than bitterness, sexual purity as opposed to sexual promiscuity and humility over pride. What is the foundation of these commands? Love. God has laid them down, because He loves us. For they benefit us, as well as our neighbor. However, we have a natural bent to push back against God’s law. We reject it. Consequently, we continually fall short of His perfect and holy standard. Therefore, we are subject to His judgement and the penalty of eternal death. Hence, there is nothing we can do to save ourselves--minus our one and only hope God has provided. Jesus. 

He came to suffer and die in your place. He took your penalty for disobedience. And because He rose again from the dead, if you turn from your ways and trust in Jesus with all your heart, you will know Him personally, be empowered to walk in His ways, and be forgiven and cleansed from all our wrongs. 

A prayer for you - Lord God, examine my ways. Have I failed to obey your moral commands? O Lord, I cannot, but only you can. I am weak, but you are strong. I am unworthy. Today I place my faith in you. Please forgive me, O gracious King. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Anxious Nation

My worldview is shaped by God, the Bible and the death and resurrection of Jesus. Being so, this tells me there is hope in everything we face—including the battle with anxiety. - Clint Decker

“Anxiety and depression have become a new public health threat for Americans of all ages” said the Pew Research report called “The Age of Anxiety.” The Anxiety and Depression Association of America agrees with this stating that nearly 20% of Americans or 40 million people battle with anxiety disorders. (Image by Magnific)

Cleary, anxious people are all around us, and one of them might even be you. Where is the hope for those who wrestle with anxiety? Can it be overcome?

My worldview is shaped by God, the Bible and the death and resurrection of Jesus. Being so, this tells me there is hope in everything we face—including the battle with anxiety. It may seem like anxiety is unique to our generation, but not so. It is a symptom of the human race’s fallen condition, and we have battled with it since near the beginning of time. Being so, God directly addresses the ancient human nemesis with hope saying, “Do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6), “…do not be anxious about your life” (Matthew 6:25), and “Let not your hearts be troubled.” (John 14:27) God has an answer to anxiety and it is Him!

Jesus’ disciples were out on the sea at night when a storm arose causing waves to smash against their boat. In the middle of this, Jesus miraculously comes to them walking on the stormy sea in the dark of night. When the disciples saw Jesus, Peter said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Then Jesus told Peter to come, and so “Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’” (Matthew 14:28-33)

At first, Peter was confident walking on the water, but then he panicked. He took his focus off Jesus and fixed them on the very real and terrifying wind and waves. His panic turned to fear as he suddenly began to sink towards his death. But he cried to the only One who could save him—Jesus. “Lord save me,” Peter desperately yelled out. Then Jesus reached out His hand and lifted Peter to safety. Notice what Jesus said, “O you of little faith.” What did that mean?

The word “anxiety” in the Bible refers to “fracturing a person's being into parts.” Anxiety is a pulling or dividing of the mind in opposite directions. It also refers to choking, like when a person is “cut off” from air.

Peter was fixed, focused, heading in a singular direction, but then something happened. He instantly became divided in his mind. He began to choke when the wind and waves pulled at his attention and cut his focus off from Jesus. Then his anxiety grew into a paralyzing fear.

Anxiety, worry, panic, fear, doubt, distress and the troubles that weigh on us; they get us when we give them our full, undivided attention. Jesus combats this by teaching that when we are under attack from anxiety, to give Him our full undivided attention, and He will give us peace. The Bible says, “Casting all your anxieties on him” (1 Peter 5:7), “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22) and “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God.” (John 14:1) Turning to Jesus with all our heart is the only sure foundation for fighting anxiety. When we do, we are not people of “little faith”, but rather, people of “great faith.” Jesus has conquered sin and death. He is your answer. Let Him help you.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I struggle with anxiety. Today, I believe there is hope through you. I desperately call out, asking you to deliver me, O God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

5 Reasons Why the Church Should Address Social Issues

After surveying 1,000 churchgoers Lifeway research found that 80% wanted their pastor to address social issues. - Clint Decker

“Pastor, as you preach each week, I’ve noticed you have never addressed abortion from the pulpit. How come?” “Pastor, during the message this morning you labeled homosexuals as sinners, which is why my gay grandson won’t come to church here.” A pastor gets hit from both sides. One, because they are not preaching on social issues, and two, because they are. After surveying 1,000 churchgoers Lifeway research found that 80% wanted their pastor to address social issues. What is a pastor to do, and beyond the Sunday morning pulpit, what is a church to do? The answer starts with asking the right question. What does the Bible say about the church addressing social issues? (Image by unsplash)

First, what are “social issues”? In the 19th century the term was “societal problem.” They are moral societal problems that are having a negative impact upon people, including Christians, and culture. They can take the form of widespread immoral behaviors as well as widely accepted sets of unbiblical beliefs or ideologies. Should the church address those?

1. According to the gospel? YES. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15) The good news of the gospel is that Jesus came to die and rise again that people might be forgiven from their sin. This indicates how we are commanded by God to address sinful (also evil and unjust) social issues, as part of the gospel message, that people might turn from them and to Christ.

2. According to the responsibilities of pastors and lay leaders? YES. “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you.” (Acts. 20:28-29) To “pay attention” is not just to be observant, but also to defend. The church is commanded by God to defend its flock against dangerous social issues that creep in among their unsuspecting church members.

3. According to biblical examples? YES. Jesus publicly called out the religious and political leaders of His day, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.” (Matthew 23:15) The example these leaders were providing and the false teaching they were giving was a social issue, that Jesus directly addressed. This example is repeated among the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament Apostles.

4. According to church history? YES. The Roman gladiator games were a ruthless blood sport that would fill the Roman Coliseum with 50,000 spectators. They would watch enslaved gladiators sometimes fight to the death. Tertullian was born in 210 A.D. and became one of Church history’s early theologians. He publicly wrote against the social issue of these evil games, “Gladiators never charged with a crime are offered in sale for the games so that they may become the victim of public pleasure.”

5. According to common sense? YES. Immoral social issues have a dangerous impact on individuals and the larger society. Why would not a pastor and church want to speak up about things that are hurting people? It is just good common sense.

It is clear, pastors and church lay leaders have a divine mandate and moral obligation, as part of their overall teaching plan, to address serious social issues from a biblical perspective and with a discipleship strategy.

There are always big risks when we do the right thing. But whose are we, and whom are we ultimately serving? Let us preach, teach and serve for an audience of One.

A prayer for you – Lord God, help me to see clearly on a confusing and divisive subject. Give me wisdom to understand your Scriptures, and concern for the harmful sins, beliefs and ideologies that have such a hold on those whom I love. Use me to help set them free and turn them to Christ. In His’ name. Amen.