I would like you to consider the following question before you answer it. If it is legal, does it mean that it is moral? And if it is illegal, does that mean that it is immoral? Questions that in a simpler time, considering a society seeking a loving God, would never come up, but with the news lately focusing on Secret Service men and Colombian hookers, and GSA parties in Las Vegas, it is put in national spotlight. And not everyone is as law abiding as us, and not as moral as you think. And no one could ever be as honest as you are. For we all have a tendency to go with what is best for us in the immediate, rather than what is good for others in the long run. Or to put it another way, in New York they stab you in the stomach, in LA they stab you in the back. Please note that either way you are stabbed. I prefer not to be stabbed, none of the above. Is that a choice?
I have always wondered why it is those caught in guilt who always accuse others of being judgmental? How many times have you been falsely accused of being too nice? Truth is we will all be before a judgment seat some day, and we get to choose the one we will stand before-now. The world just doesn't like the procedure. Accept Christ, you will be judged by God for what you have done in His name after being saved. You will be rewarded with crowns from God. Deny Christ, you will go to hell, and be shown true justice for your sin, and will know why you are in constant torment forever. Deny Him here, He denies you after. Accept Him here, He remembers you after. Simple. Why would you choose hell when you can have heaven? Eternity is a long time either way. Salvation-that's grace. Both moral and legal.
But back to the question, is it moral if it is legal? Why is it right to spend $1000 at the Mustang Ranch, when $20 will get you the same rush on the Boulevard? The law. Location-location-location. But-the morals are the same, no matter the location, or action taken. I love when people try to weasel out of a situation based on a technicality. Sin will always be sin-thankfully grace will always be grace. And where sin abides, grace abides even more. Law or no law, grace overcomes the law every time. Turn it around, is it immoral because it is illegal? In over 40 countries where the Bible is against the law, some under penalty of death, is it immoral to read the word? To seek God? To become a Christian? Like Jesus said, "the law kills." Put in that context, do you fear man or God? Immediate or long term? Note-only God is both. Perhaps there is more-or less to the argument. For the only secure answer is to trust God. To have His spirit live in you, of which there is no law against it. As of this morning, love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, longsuffering, meekness, and self control are not illegal. Would you be found guilty if they were? No one will be prosecuted for a love crime, unless it is a perversion of one as in prostitution. Which isn't love-but lust.
But when left to politicians, becomes a political issue. Being caught will always change their perspective. And then another law to exonerate themselves. Politicians, it is noted, are more concerned with the short term-getting re-elected. Where true statesman, are concerned about the people long term. And after watching our Attorney General fumble with questions about Fast and Furious-either he is that stupid or that deceitful, either way he should be replaced, as we watch Secret Servicemen, who are on call 24/7 spending times with hookers in Colombia-ok it is legal there, but still not moral, and how the GSA spends $822,000 on a meeting in Vegas, showing that what happens in Vegas doesn't necessarily stay there. It is no longer about legal issues, but moral ones. And your eternal future is not based on keeping the law-but on grace.
It is all about Jesus. Who mercifully offers you salvation for free. No needing to look it up to see if any laws are broken, and that is tax free also. I looked. So grace beats the law every time. Put this way, the law comes to convict, the spirit comes to consult. Trust Jesus, the best advice you will ever be given. It is your sin that will be found out, best having Jesus erase it all.
But if you insist on living under the law, my best advice comes via Deputy Barney Fife of Mayberry. Who had only two rules in the jail. First-obey all rules. Easy enough. The second-no writing on the walls-it is hard to remove the ink. Jesus rule came down from over 600 laws given to Moses to one simple one-love the Lord with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. Obey all rules. The handwriting is on the wall-you can decide on the second one.
Or as one NJ crime head once admitted, "you got morals, I got rules." Morals won't get you arrested, and laws won't get you into heaven. Even in Jersey. Or Colombia, Vegas, LA, or wherever. For whatever. I'll take two scoops of grace please. Heavy on the mercy, peace, and kindness. For true freedom was won on the cross-and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. Trust Jesus-guilty as charged. Are you?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com