DAILY WORD "...and the truth will set you free.."

Daily Word

Prepared By:  Suzy Naber

28 /01/2007 – Serial No. 53

  How do we picture God? Some people picture Him as a great force floating in the atmosphere; others envision Him as an unreachable God while others imagine Him as a cruel dictator punishing His creation. Some see god as a "super-force" other worship persons or animals. The word "god" does not necessarily refer to the same "god" nor does every religion worship the same "god".  We should be therefore, very careful when we hear the word "god".

Why did I choose this topic? Actually, I just returned from the Far East where I have visited many shrines. I noticed the great respect and honor of the people to their leader or "gods". I do have a great respect for those people especially for their extreme politeness. However, the great sexual immorality shocked me. My first question was "what influence does religion have on individuals?" "Where are the moral laws and human ethics?

I am not discussing the several social problems leading to immorality; in general, however, I would like to address this issue from the religious point of view. In my opinion, religion should have a positive influence on people and educated them to follow moral laws; this is exactly how you know that God exists.

What are "moral laws" or what is the definition of morality? Morality is a system of principles and judgments based on religious concepts and beliefs, by which humans determine whether given actions, are right or wrong. These concepts and beliefs serve to regulate the behavior of its members. The lack of religious concept will lead to immorality and incorrect behavior because without the knowledge of an existing and living God, man would become slave of his own desires.

Human criteria use an accepted moral standard in making decisions or judgments about something. A Christian ethic however, goes beyond human standard and is to be measured by God's standards and a not human criterion for what is right.  From the Christian point of view, the Christian ethics generally says that all moral rules follow from the duty to love God with all one's self and one's neighbor as oneself. When we know and love God, we will be more concerned about our obedience to God than our own desires.

In true Christianity, Christians are to follow and live the life-ways of Jesus Christ. When a person repents, he is transformed into a new person by receiving power and eternal life from God through his Son Jesus Christ. Christians gradually grow out of selfishness and greed into the family of God, made possible by the life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Even for those outside the influence of Christian faith, Paul teaches in his letter to the Romans that God has written his moral law in the hearts of all men.  This law manifests itself in the conscience of every man and is the norm according to which the entire human race will be judged on the Day of Judgment. Our way of life, becomes decisions and solutions in morality.

I strongly believe that the theory of evolution and especially Darwin's theory that connects us to amoral beasts will cause us to be immoral and behave like beasts! 

Finally, there is a great moral issue in the knowledge of Almighty God. In brief, how do we know He exists, we only need to look at the evidences everywhere around us to realize and prove His existence.

 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge." (Psalm 19:1-2).

 “For since the creation of the world His invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse". (Romans 1.20)

Scriptures to read: Psalm 19 and Genesis 1

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, the Author of Life, help us live according to your Moral Standard. Help us stay in obedience to your Word and live according to the fruit of your spirit, which is joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22) Amen.