Right or Wrong?

By Bill Brandstatter

     I have noticed a change in our society. There are some things that were once considered wrong, even illegal, are now considered okay and legal. One example is the legalization of marijuana. When I grew up in the 1960’s and even until recently, the use of that drug was illegal. Now some states have legalized it.
    What was once wrong is now considered to be right. I once read an article about “civil disobedience.” The article was about individuals who were objecting to the minimum wage and wanted it increased to $15.00 per hour. There was even a meeting being held on civil disobedience. One lady commented that their efforts would change the moral consciousness of people. I am afraid our society has become more lawless in many areas, and the idea of obedience is not what it once was. Society is changing the idea of right and wrong.
     What does the Bible say about this? God, after all is the great lawgiver and lawmaker. From Him we learn obedience and disobedience. Isaiah, the prophet, wrote, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness” (Is. 5:20). In the book of Romans Paul wrote about those who “did not like to retain God in their knowledge” (Rom.1:28).
    Obedience is something the Bible emphasizes. Jesus saves those who obey Him (Heb. 5:8, 9). Paul wrote that people should obey the gospel (Rom. 10:16; 2 Thess. 1:8, 9). Jesus stated, “If you love me, keep My commandments” (Jn. 14:15). The Hebrews writer stated: “We have human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?” (Heb. 12:9) What we learn in one area of life can often affect us in another. My concern is that when our society makes legal that which was once illegal, and makes disobedience something to be considered right, what will happen to the souls of individuals who need to obey Christ? Will they understand the obligation to the law that God has given? Will they obey that form of doctrine that was delivered by the apostles? (Rom. 6:17)
     We need to obey the Bible, no matter what man says.  Peter and the other apostles said; “We ought to obey God rather than man”’ (Acts 5:29). So when society says something is okay, we should see what God has to say. When society makes something legal, we need to check what the great lawgiver has in mind. When society promotes disobedience and rebellion, we need to look at what is written in God’s Word. God wants all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4). We can only do that if we know what it means to obey the laws which God has given.
     Let us learn from the Scriptures and obey from the heart. (Rom. 6:17)

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/