Rev. Robert Fleischmann, Christian Life Resources National Director

ac•qui•es•cence – [ak-wee-esuhns] – the act or condition
of acquiescing or giving tacit assent; agreement or consent
by silence or without objection; compliance.

sin – transgression of divine law
[Source: www.dictionary.com]

In today’s world, statements of what is right and what is wrong are recast as philosophical musings rather than universal absolutes. What philosophers call moral relativism God calls sin.

As people drift from the Word of God they become better students of philosophy than theology, and they give in to the ways of the world.

The Deceit of Moral Relativism

We saw moral relativism in the Garden of Eden:

Satan: “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

Eve: “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

Satan: “You will not surely die, for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:1-5)

Satan was right. Adam and Eve both ate of the tree and they did not die – at that moment! That’s how moral relativism works. It provides a perceived advantage for today with no regard of future repercussions.

Any consequence for sin – delayed or not – still cannot remove the wrongness of our actions or the aftermath that will come. Adam and Eve eventually died. To defeat death the Son of God had to die as well. Wrong is always wrong before God, regardless of the circumstance.

The Results of Acquiescence

Today we have open sexual immorality and abuse of God’s name. The love of money drives people into crimes of theft and murder. Disrespect for others abounds.

Challenging the applicability of God’s Word to moral issues challenges the applicability of all God’s Word. Blurring the lines of truth endangers the core Christian message that “the wages of sin is death and the gift of God is eternal life” (Romans 6:23). If God cannot be taken at His Word when He speaks about morality then is not His entire message of sin and salvation void of its power and meaning?

The Courage for Truth

The Apostle Paul admonished:

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Believe God when He speaks of the scourge of sin and its eternal consequences. Embrace the salvation that enables us to walk through the valley of the shadow of death without fear.

Remain firm and unmoved while also demonstrating love, patience and compassion. Being right with people who want to be wrong is a ministry for the soul and to the soul. Never tire of doing the right thing and never surrender to those who wish to do the wrong thing. Persevere!