A Message in Response to the US Supreme Court's Decision on "Marriage"

Hello Friends,

Many believe it's been a tough week for Christians and God's people.  Yet, throughout the course of human history, secular and religious leaders have declared "this" or "that" as moral, even when those declarations are contrary to God's on the same topic.

There are two kinds of morality working today:  God's Morality from Above... and Mankind's Morality from Below.  The good news is that God is and always will be on the Throne of Heaven, even when some on earth try to assume His authority.  So we as disciples can rest assured that God's purposes are still secure.

Yet, how are we to respond to what is happening as America experiences a Sliding Scale of Morality that is leading us further from God's Ways?  I hope this message will be an encouragement to you.  Let me know what you think.

God bless you as you respond to His Word, Kirk McCormick

Thoughts on the Sliding Scale of American Morality

…and how Jesus’ Church can Respond

A Message from John 8

Isaiah 28:14 - “Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scoffers   who rule this people in Jerusalem.”

2 Peter 3:3 - “First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will

come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.”

Romans 1:21-22 - “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.”

John 8:12-20

¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ¹³ The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” ¹⁴ Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. ¹⁵ You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. ¹⁶ But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. ¹⁷ In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. ¹⁸ I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me. ¹⁹ Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”   “You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”

Sliding Scale:  The World teaches, “Morality is Personal.”

God Teaches: There is One Authority… God.

The Good News: He has Spoken through His Word

John 8:21-30

We Live in the Tension of Two Moralities

²¹ Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.” ²²  This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?”

²³ But Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. ²⁴ I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am, you will indeed die in your sins.”

²⁵  “Who are you?” they asked.  “Just what I have been claiming all along,”

Jesus replied.  ²⁶ “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.” ²⁷ They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father.  ²⁸ So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. ²⁹ The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” ³⁰ Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.

Sliding Scale: The World teaches, “You must accept my morality.”

God Teaches: God Teaches: “You can please me by living in MY ways.”

The Good News: God is patient. He is not condemning the world… yet.

John 8:42-47

Jesus Offers a Simple Morality Test

⁴² Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me.

⁴³ Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. ⁴⁴ You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. ⁴⁵ Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!

⁴⁶ Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? ⁴⁷ He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Sliding Scale:  The World says, “Leave me alone and let me do what pleases me.”

God Teaches:  “I love you enough to teach you the truth.”

John 8:48-55

God’s Morality Trumps the World’s “Morality”

⁴⁸ The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”

⁴⁹ “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. ⁵⁰ I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. ⁵¹ I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

⁵² At this the Jews exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death.  ⁵³ Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

⁵⁴ Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. ⁵⁵ Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word.”

Sliding Scale:  The World says, “It’s my life...and it’s all about me.”

God Teaches: Life is a gift to be lived to please God.

The Good News: The World notices when we keep his Word.

Application:  Thoughts on How to Respond to the Cultural Slide

Thought 1 - Do not condemn those who are misled…but lovingly teach those who are open.

Thought 2 - Morality is NOT a matter of opinion...but of submission.

Thought 3 - It’s time for Christians to actively take a side.

Thought 4 - Support those who are faithful to God’s morality.