(Digital Editor's Note: This article was published first in the July 2023 print edition of The Stand.)
In a world where moral relativism reigns supreme, the Bible’s message about objective morality may seem outdated. But perhaps it’s more relevant than ever before.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote to a church struggling to maintain righteousness in a society rife with immorality. He warns of the wrath of God against those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness and fail to glorify God.
Creation
Paul cites Scripture to reveal that God’s invisible attributes are clearly seen in creation, leaving humanity without excuse for their rebellion:
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened (Romans 1:18-21, NKJV).
Are Paul’s words relevant today? A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center (pewresearch.org) in 2022 shows that most Americans say it is not necessary to believe in God to be moral. Among those who consider religion unimportant, 92% believe it is possible to be moral without believing in God, compared to 51% of those for whom religion is important.
Democrats are more likely to say that it is not necessary to believe in God to be moral, while conservative Republicans are less likely to believe this. Americans under 50 and those with a college degree are more likely to agree that a belief in God is not necessary to have “good values.” The survey included 16 other countries where views about the relationship between religion and morality were found to be similar to those in the U.S.
It is more important than ever for Christians to understand what morality is and why it cannot be separated from the reality of God. When morality is increasingly viewed as relative and subjective, Christians must have a clear understanding of what is truly right and wrong.
Conscience
Morality is not a human construct, rather a reflection of God’s character and will. Separating morality from God is like trying to separate a building from its foundation. It simply cannot stand without a solid base.
All people are born with a conscience that guides them toward right and wrong. This conscience is not necessarily tied to any religious or cultural belief but is instead placed in human hearts by the Creator. It is true that this conscience can be influenced or dulled over time, but it remains an inherent part of every person.
Psalm 139:7-8 asks, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.” No matter where one goes, there is no escaping this innate law that comes from God written on the hearts of His creations.
Commandments
The culture’s inconsistent and ever-changing set of rules betrays a false sense of righteousness. To establish a trust-
worthy moral compass, it is crucial to anchor it in God’s explicitly expressed law in His Word. By doing so, one can avoid being swayed by societal fads and align with the unchanging truth of God’s standards.
The Ten Commandments were given by God twice – once in Exodus and again in Deuteronomy – both times preceding the Hebrews’ entry into the Promised Land. Although God had already given them the Commandments at Kadesh-Barnea in Exodus, the Hebrews rebelled and turned back.
Furthermore, even in the Old Testament, God declares that His moral law is written on the hearts of His people: “This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (Jeremiah 31:33).
Christ
Are Paul’s words relevant today? Indeed, they are.
Today, believers have something better than the Hebrews of old had to guide the conscience: a perfect high priest in the person of Jesus Christ and a perfect teacher in the indwelling Holy Spirit.
While battling against the confusion of today’s culture, believers can look forward to a brighter future. As Paul wrote to his spiritual son Titus:
The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-13).
