Matthew 13:37–43 ‘He answered, ”The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil.”’ (vv37–39a)
Morality, or right behaviour, was subject in 2019 to a BBC survey of 3,655 adults (aged 16+) looking at issues from relationships to the environment.* Whilst 70% agreed that a moral framework is important, belief about right or wrong differs greatly. Age was the greatest influence on our morality. Infidelity, with 83% of adults feeling a significant responsibility to be faithful to their partner, scored highest.
But living by our values is more problematic, with 60% saying they’ve been unfaithful to their partner whilst saying it’s never acceptable to cheat! Life presents the ideal stage on which we can live out what we believe to be right and resist what’s wrong. Of course, temptation seduces us, and we all make mistakes. By God’s grace we can confess and find forgiveness, but no one, including the Church, can successfully legislate for a moral world.
Morality is the fruit of obedience to God’s Word and our work is in demonstrating that God’s principles for fullness of life are desirable, practical and achievable. Jesus acknowledges to His disciples that life on earth is a battlefield (John 16:33), on which we may be wounded (Matt. 10:16). Only at Christ’s return will there be a judgment, where those who produce godly fruit will enter into their eternal rest.
Scripture to consider: Deut. 6:20–25; Josh. 7:16–26; Mark 7:1–23; Gal. 5:13–25.
An action to take: Where do your actions betray your belief? What will you do about it?
A prayer to make: ‘Lord, may I live out my beliefs and serve Your purpose. Amen.
Photo by Volodymyr Hotsyk on Unsplash
