Pioneer and Bell Church of Christ

Some religions are seeped in immorality. The morality of the pagan religions of the Old Testament world were so bad that they made Mother Nature herself sick. The practices of the native nations were so bad that God stated, "the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants" (Leviticus 18:25). Jehovah goes on to warn the Israelites, "Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you" (Leviticus 18:26).

Leviticus 18 catalogs a number of immoral sexual relationships. It may be well to point out that the phrase "uncover nakedness" has reference to sexual relations, and is so translated by the New International Version, as well as some other modern speech translations. Most of these incestuous activities are, or were, an intricate part of the Bible based cultural mores. After listing specific prohibitions with those "near of kin," God goes on to target: (1) adultery by stating "thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife;" - vs 20; (2) homosexualism by stating "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind" - vs 22; and (3) bestiality by stating, "Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto" - vs 23.

All of the above are wrong, immoral, and sin before God. Adulteryis too often practiced in America today (Cf. Matthew 19:3-9), even by those that attend church and claim to be Christians.Homosexualism is justified by some by claiming the passages in the NT (Romans 1:22-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; and 1Timothy 1:8-11) are connected with pagan temple worship and therefore homosexual activities are acceptable otherwise. Sex with animal orbestiality is not commonly advocated in our descent to total depravity. However, with a number of states legalizing "same sex marriage," marrying your pet poodle cannot be far behind.

Morality has to do with principles that distinguish between right and wrong and good and bad behavior. The Bible reveals that God deals in black and white, yes and no, right and wrong! Our current culture has broadened the thin line of gray that lies between black and white to have everything gray. To many, (Charles Manson comes to mind) there is no right and wrong. Those that accept the Bible as God's Word recognize sin is real and that there will be a final Judgment Day (Ecclesiastes 12:12-13).

The Christian religion, in the past, set the standard of morality not only in America but in Europe also. It, along with theGreek concept of democracy, formed the foundation for Western Civilization as we know it. As Paul pointed out (Romans 1:16-17), the Gospel is the power of God for salvation to those that accept it. In verse 17 the reason is revealed. The righteousness of God is found in it - and in it alone, for it is God's revelation to mankind. Let us turn back to the God of the Bible before it is too late and we reap the wrath of our Creator.