Does ‘Legal’ Always
Mean ‘Moral?’
Because
something is “legal” does that make it right? We all must make responsible
choices daily, regardless of how we “feel” about it. When the alarm goes off
for school or work, we know it’s time to get up even though we’d “love” to lie
in bed. We get up because it’s right to get up; to ignore that responsibility
has corresponding consequences. So it is in every aspect of life on this
planet.
Laws are
intended to regulate and guide human behavior. Driving on the right side of the
road grants me freedom to use the highway. To drive down the left side violates
the law and not only “robs” my freedom, but jeopardizes the safety of those
coming the other way.
The Ten
Commandments given to Moses (Exodus 20) have been the basic Moral Code throughout
civilization. They are still etched on government walls around the country. “Thou
shalt not steal; thou shalt not kill (murder); thou shalt not commit adultery,”
etc. are also “etched” in the human conscience. Yes, these laws are constantly
violated, but not without an inner witness of that violation or failure. To
disregard these absolutes is to welcome anarchy.
The other
side of the coin is the “legalization” of man-made laws that violate God’s
laws. For instance, the notorious Roe vs. Wade Decision in 1973 making abortion
“legal” has created an ongoing battleground in our nation. In fact, it has
divided us down the middle, and has become a primary litmus test in identifying
the stance of political candidates. To be “pro-life” (anti-abortion) has been
equated with a lack of concern for “women’s rights.” But the greater issue is:
Does a living fetus (baby) have a “right” to be born?
Snuffing
out the life of an unborn baby is a violation of God’s law, causing the
consciences of God-fearing people to “scream.” O, yes, it’s “legal” to get an
abortion, and it can be rationalized in many ways; but when all is said and
done, is it right??
Many things
that are “legal” are not necessarily right or profitable. It’s “legal” to drink
alcohol, smoke, watch pornography, gamble, etc., etc. but is it good or
beneficial? Rather than asking “what’s wrong” with something, we might ask
“what’s right with it?” Homes have been utterly destroyed by engagement in
“legal” activities taken to extreme. Legality doesn’t make everything right.
Significantly,
Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Evidently true love has a
standard; it’s not nebulous. It’s right for children to obey the moral
instruction of parents; this is an expression of “love” from both sides. Loving
instruction (law) and loving submission go together, resulting in healthy
family development.
Unfortunately,
“love” has been relegated to sheer emotion and selfish desire. It’s been
confused with “lust”; being interpreted as, “If it feels good, do it.” But we
all know that there are things that we
“feel” like doing at times that would end us up in jail!
Love has
the other person’s highest good in mind, while lust is about me. The opposite
of “love” is not hatred per/se, but selfishness! While lust can’t wait to get,
“love” can wait to give. Lust is
selfish, but love is selfless. This
applies to the present epidemic of pre-marital sex and babies born out of
wedlock. Young ladies looking for “love” and a secure relationship are duped by
young men with raging hormones who only have sex in mind! That’s why sex is a
gift from God reserved for marriage, where it becomes productive and practiced
without guilt. “Marriage is honorable…and the bed undefiled; but whoremongers
and adulterers God will judge.” (Heb. 13:4)
In closing,
I can only touch the ongoing debate regarding so-called “same-sex marriage.”
The argument centers on the “right” to “marry” anyone that you “love,”
regardless of gender. But suppose that “right” is wrong? Same-sex intimacy
defies God’s law and even nature itself. It crosses the proverbial line! That’s
why there’s such a furor among God-fearing people. There’s that witness within,
like the abortion issue, which says “that’s wrong.” Plus, how far will it go?
Are we opening the door for polygamy, bestiality and incest? I think so.
Why should
it be wrong for a father to have sex with a daughter or a son as long as they
“love” each other? Yes, there’s still some indignation left toward pedophiles,
who molest young children; but not for long. After all, what’s the big deal, if
a clergyman, for instance, can gain the “consensual love” of an innocent boy
before committing his perverted act?
The
sobering truth is that we are now “legalizing” immorality, making the moral law
“obsolete.” In other words, the rules have changed, whereby the embracing of
God’s absolute law now becomes “immoral” and/or “unloving.”Talk about
perversion! The Supreme Court better think this through. The future of America is not
looking good.
