Power Point Show MP3 audio

Scripture Reading: Job 31:1-4

Wrong is Always Wrong

Intro.

1. God has given man a divine standard to determine right and wrong, 2 Tim. 3:16.

a. God seeing everything at all times, Prov. 15:3; Heb. 4:13.

b. We must answer for all we do and for every decision we make, 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12.

2. No excuses allowed: We must insist that wrong is always wrong!

-(Some considerations that prove this to be so.)

I. WRONG IS WRONG EVEN IF...

A. It Is Legal.

1. Some argue if it is legal then it is OK with God since He ordained gov’t (Rom. 13:1) – Applied to sinful remarriages (Mk. 6:17-18). What about same-sex marriages, abortion; marijuana, social drinking; gambling; Divorce for any cause; fornication...

a. We must obey God rather than man, Acts 5:29.

b. Situation ethics are not God’s standard, Prov. 14:12.

2. Man does not set the standard by which we shall be judged.

B. You Do Not Get Caught, Prov. 15:3; cf. Num. 32:23.

C. It is Done for a Good Cause.

1. “The end justifies the means” rational.

2. cf. Gambling to help education, churches, etc.; A dance to raise money for the football team; etc.

3. Cannot do evil for good motives and be it be okay, Rom. 3:8.

D. Someone Else “Causes” You to do it, Gen. 3:3-5, 9-13.

1. Note personal choice and responsibility still exist.

2. Self-justification blames others, 1 Sam. 15:3, 8-9, 13-15, 24-26.

3. “It is your fault;” “Look what you made me do.”

E. It is Difficult to Make Right.

1. Prov. 13:15: Way of transgressor is hard, however...

2. Repentance demands not only a change of mind but also a change of actions (Bootlegger must quit bootlegging, thief must quit stealing, adulterer must quit his adultery), cf. Ezra 10:2-4; 2 Cor. 7:10; Acts 17:30.

F. Someone Else has Done Something Just as Bad, or Even Worse.

1. “Yes, but you did....” or “Everyone in my class is going to the dance....” (self-justification)

2. “At least this is not as bad as....”

a. cf. Immodest dress (1 Tim. 2:9-10).

b. cf. Lottery vs. slots vs. roulette, vs. raffle.

c. cf. Social drinking vs. drunkenness.

d. This is the Pharisee’s attitude, Lk. 18:11-12.

G. It Does Not Bother Your Conscience.

1. “I don’t see anything wrong in that.”

2. cf. Saul, Acts 23:1; 26:9-11. Consciences can sear, 1 Tim. 4:2.

3. Denom. can/do reason this way to justify the use of instrumental music in worship, and many other doctrinal errors.

4. Exercise senses to discern good and evil (by using the truth), Heb. 5:14.

H. It Seems Like the Expedient thing to do.

1. Saul sacrificing at Gilgal, 1 Sam. 13:8-13.

2. Caiaphas thought it expedient to kill Jesus, Jno. 11:49-50.

3. Would you steal a car to carry the gospel message?

4. Would you lie about your faith to protect your life? Matt. 10:39; Rev. 2:10

I. You Refuse to Admit it.

1. Israel, Mal. 1:6; 2:17; 3:7-8. Israel refused to admit her sin.

2. Was Israel innocent or guilty?

J. Others are Doing it (regardless of who’s doing it), Gal. 2:11-14.

1. No respect of persons with God, Rom. 2:11.

2. Context: Judged based on our own life.

K. It is Done in Ignorance (ignorance may be bliss, but it is not a blessing!).

1. Murderers of Jesus; Idolaters, Acts 3:17, 19; 17:23.

2. God does not want us to be ignorant (without knowledge), 1 Ths. 4:13.

3. Grow in knowledge to avoid sin, Eph. 5:17; 2 Pet. 3:18.

Conclusion

1. The only remedy God has for sin is the blood of His Son (Heb. 9:22).

2. Blood of Christ is applied only to those who obey Him and only if one obeys Him, Acts 22:16; 1 Jno. 1:6-10.

3. Will you be right or wrong in God’s sight? The choice is yours.

-From an outline by Olen Holderby

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: February 10, 2014