20090726
Christians are called to be wise children of light. We are to reflect God’s character in our lives – in our values and decisions. As we live in society including the Christian community, we are required to uphold standards of morality, purity and right living (Eph. 5:1, 8-10). This requirement has been really tested in recent times. Good and bad actions are no longer simple or clear. Tolerance is held as a highly preferred moral virtue. We are told that “you ought not to condemn other people’s actions” and “you should not impose your moral values on others”. In such situations, Christians may think that we are left with few firm moral principles to guide us in distinguishing right from wrong and whether such principles exist at all. To address this we have the clear teaching of Eph. 5:6: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.” Standards of morality, purity and right living are clearly taught in the Bible. God’s teaching of right and wrong in His “Life Manual” to us is to prosper our well-being, health, relationships and personal peace. People who disobey them will bear the consequences of destruction.
Then, what about those questions that produce a clash of moral perspectives? We are to “find out what pleases the Lord”(Eph. 5:10). We need to “expose” sinful practices, not “impose” our views of them on others. We express and advocate our moral views to convince others to adopt and follow them and, as citizens to lobby the authorities to have them reflected in our country’s social policies. For those who hold opposing views or continue in sinful practices, we are reminded that God’s ways of kindness, patience and tolerance are to draw people to Himself (Rom. 2:4). As Christians, we demonstrate God’s likeness in our daily living.
Today’s techno-world raises the question: “Does the fact that we are able to do so many things, automatically give us the rightto do them?” Eph. 5:15-16 (NKJV) teaches us: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil”. The wise Christian walk is not only for ourselves but we must also encourage fellow Christians by sharing life testimonies. We who are filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18), yielded and obeying His counsel, will cause meaningful fellowship with one another, joy and gladness in worship and submission to one another in the fear of the Lord (Eph. 5:19-21).
