Collinsville-Troy CHURCH OF CHRIST

Does Moral Law Demand a Moral Lawgiver?

-Dale J. Babinsky

Have you ever wondered about how we know what is right or what is wrong? For instance, in most of the civilized societies around the world it is illegal and considered immoral to murder another person, or to steal from them. How is it that different groups of people, separated by geography, all came to the same realization that these activities are wrong?

Perhaps the sense of right and wrong is nothing more than the majority opinion within these civilized societies. Most people just think that these activities are the wrong thing to do. Is that it? If that is the basis for right and wrong, then what if a society decided by a vote that it was okay to kill off people from a certain race? Or that it was okay to enslave people who have a different skin color? Would the majority approval for such behavior make that behavior "right"?

It would seem clear that just because a majority of people say that something is right does not make it so. The civilized society of Nazi Germany made the determination that it was "right" to try to exterminate the Jews as a lesser race. While much can be said for how they arrived at that conclusion, at this time let us just notice that they felt they were right in what they were doing. At their war crimes trials after World War II many Nazis claimed that they were simply following orders and obeying the laws of their land. However, the prosecutors appealed to a higher law, a higher power, which made what these men did clearly wrong.

Where did that higher law come from? It had to have come from God. Since mankind is not capable of determining what is right and what is wrong on their own (Jeremiah 10:23), then a simple majority vote is not sufficient. In the argument of morals many will say something like, "who are you to decide what is right and what is wrong?" They are correct in that statement. It is not up to you and me to decide what is right and what is wrong. That is up to God, and He has specified right and wrong within His moral law. Paul said that he would not have known sin (what was wrong) without the law of God (Romans 7:7).

Since we as humans lack the authority to mandate moral law, let us then turn to God and to His law to determine what is right and what is wrong. Let us then speak with regards to morals as God’s word directs us to (1 Peter 4:11).

Can You See the Rainbow?

-Jason Wright

God's people have always been challenged with tough times. The question is how did they respond and what were the results? Did they rely on God or try to figure it out themselves? As Christians, we need to be reminded that the rainbow follows the rain.

The world around Noah was focused on all things evil continuously (6:5) God was sorry that He made man (6:6). Destruction of man was coming and coming quickly (6:7). In Genesis 6:8, we are told that Noah found grace (favor) in the eyes of God. Noah was instructed to build an ark that would eventually save him and his family (6:13-22). Sure enough, Noah was obedient and as the rains came down and the floods came up, he and his family were safe. Everything else that lived and breathed was destroyed (7:21-23). Notice verse 23, ONLY Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive.

When they went into the ark, family, friends, neighbors, and all others were eating and drinking, marrying wives and were given in marriage and the flood came and destroyed them all (Luke 17:27). Now, there was nothing.

Noah and his family labored in obedience for many decades. They had to hold fast to God's commandments and trust that He would deliver them. Noah was a preacher of righteousness (II Peter 2:5) during construction and had to keep himself and his family from being distracted and falling into the wicked ways of the world. Along the way, his faithfulness condemned the world and became heir of righteousness according to faith (Heb. 11:7)

God promised them a new start when they exited the ark. Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth (9:1). All living things were given into his hand (9:2). They could eat meat (9:3). No more earth destroying floods (9:11) When a cloud comes over the earth, the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud (9:14).

Consider some promises God has made us. Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be afraid of them (enemies); for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you (Deut. 31:6) Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. (Is. 41:10) He calms the storm so the waves are still (Ps. 107:29). The Lord is good. A stronghold (defense/rock) in the day of trouble. And He knows those who trust Him (Nahum 1:7)

God provides hope in desperate situations. God was with Noah thru the storms; He provided safety and salvation on the ark thru the flood. He is the same God today as He was back then. So, when the storms of life roll thru, who do you trust? When there is trouble in the church, who do you depend on? When everything is crumbling around you, who builds you up? The answer—GOD. After the rain comes, can you see the rainbow?