In this modern and "enlightened world culture" that has been evolving
over the past 30 - 40 years, it seems that many words have had
their meaning changed or new words invented to confuse the minds
of people inside and outside the church. It is imperative that
Christians -in name only, and in practice for sure - need to
go back to the BIBLE for a new look at God's version of truth
and the meaning of words and terms.
We can start with the Webster's Dictionary: (Merriam-Webster
- 1961) -Brief descriptions-
Moral: Excellence in what pertains to practice or conduct
of right & proper -
Syn: ethical, virtuous,
righteous; noble and conforming to a standard of what is right
and good.
Ethical: Doctrine of moral or social manners. A system
of moral principles, rules of conduct
Immoral: contrary to conscience or moral law; licentious
Immorality: State or quality of being immoral; vice;
wickedness, unchastity,
Looking at this subject from the teaching in the Bible will
give us God's standard of life.
In the Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary (copyright 1963)
a full page is given to define the word sin, which can be summarized
as rebellion against a Holy God and His laws.
SIN: missing, transgression, perversion, evil in disposition,
impiety, missing the mark, unrighteousness, contempt and violation
of law, depravity.
It would take too much time to explore the definitions of all
the words given in the above descriptions of the words in bold
print. But the SIN problem started with Adam and Eve in the
Garden of Eden and has continued to grow in depth and scope
in our world. The root cause of SIN and a wicked disposition
is SELF-WILL, which is always opposite to the WILL of God and
His plan for mankind.
The MORAL LAW of God in the Bible establishes the specification
for conduct under the authority of God or the system of agreeable
relationship with Him and His will.
The MORAL LAW of America is based upon our Constitution
and the Word of God, an international legal document. Compare
the connection to the Ten Commandments (Ex.20:1-17) that our
founding fathers wove into the first documents of law and order
for the Colonies. Also, study Romans 1:16-32 and Galatians 5:14-17
to see a list of human activities that God will not overlook
in the Day of Judgment. In fact, most if not all of those sins
against God's law and plan for man have their own present consequences.
THE REMEDY: We must first recognize the problem -in
our own life- and be willing to turn to God for His answer to
our dilemma. We cannot remove the sin or the effects of sin
in our life, but God has already made a way. Read John 3:16,17
and be willing to fully repent of all past sins and life style.
(Matt. 11:28 - Rev. 3:20,21)
REPENTENCE: To repent is to change a mindset; being
extensive enough to bring about a reversal of action and disposition.
Godly sorrow is produced by the awakening and conviction of
sin, resulting in turning from sin & self by faith and surrendering
your life to the truth of God's Word. (Matt. 3:2-Luke 13:3)
True repentance is a constant realignment of action and disposition
away from those things that offend God or justly offend men.
Therefore to repent is to reconcile broken relationship, to
exhibit true accountability to Sovereign authority, and to express
true regret, sorrow, and repudiation of offensive action as
it relates both to God and to men.
Awakening: The process whereby the soul of man becomes
aware of the crimes he has committed against God and man.
Conviction: The process whereby the soul of man acknowledges
that he is guilty of felony crime against God no matter how
"small" the sin is deemed to be.
Faith: The trusting assurance (that evidence of the
unseen is great enough to produce a confident, expectation of
good to come) produced by interaction with the Word and Spirit
of God.
