Morally Right, But Religiously Wrong

Morally Right, But Religiously Wrong

Colossians 3.17

Introduction: People tend to equate morality with religion. For that reason some people have an adverse reaction when you start questioning their religion. Fact is most of the people I know and probably you know are good moral people. They do not lie, cheat, steal. They love their spouse, their children, and their parents. They would help you because they are good people.

But if you mention something like instrumental music in worship to God is wrong they react as if you have accused them of doing something morally wrong. This thinking sometimes extends to the argument that "whatever is right at home is right in the church." I remember my grandfather in having a "discussion" with my mother on instrumental music. He said if I can have a radio in my house I can have a piano in the church building.

We need to understand there are some things that are morally right but religiously wrong. A failure to understand this generates confusion.

I) One Fact We Must Understand

A) God’s thought and man’s thoughts are not equal, Isaiah 55.8-9

1. We are not called to be God’s counselor, Romans 11.33-35

2. If is God who directs us and not the other way around, Jeremiah 10.23

a. There are times I wish I could change God’s word

b. There are times I may not fully understand why God said to do it this way but I must submit my will to God’s will.

B) Operating by what appears good to us is absolute folly, Jude 10

1. God has infinite wisdom, we do not

2. God sees the "big picture" we do not.

3. In fact there are some that things can be morally wrong but religiously right

a. Mental reservation allows lying

b. Fat Tuesday allows people to get drunk and do all kinds of things in the name of religion.

4. Anything morally wrong is wrong, period.

C) "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" 1 Thess. 5.21

1. Let us do our best to see things from God’s viewpoint

2. Let us be governed by His will instead of our wants.

II) Examples of Things Morally Right, But Religiously Wrong (O.T.)

A) Eating fruit

1. It is not morally wrong to eat fruit, in fact I like most fruits. Fruit is good for you and they taste pretty good.

2. Adam and Eve sinned by eating the fruit of a tree, Genesis 3.1-24

a. They sinned because they transgressed God’s law, 1 John 3.4

b. God said not to eat of the fruit from that tree, Genesis 2.16-17

c. It was religiously wrong.

B) Gathering sticks

1. It is not morally wrong to gather sticks.

2. Yet one man sinned by doing so on the Sabbath, Numbers 15.32-36

a. The problem with this was merely the timing, they to keep the Sabbath Day, not work on that day, Ex. 314; 35.2-3

b. You may think his punishment was too sever but it was the Lord that made the call on the punishment.

c. It was religiously wrong!

C) Burning incense

1. It was not morally wrong to burn incense

2. King Uzziah went into the temple to burn incense and sinned, 2 Chronicles 26.16

a. The priest were to burn the incense, 2 Chronicles 26.18

b. It was religiously wrong.

II) Examples of Things Morally Right, But Religiously Wrong (N.T.)

A) Instrumental music in worship to God

1. Instrumental music is not morally wrong

2. When Christians are together in worship to God they are authorized to sing, Ephesians 5.19; Colossians 3.16

a. Note: it is in regard to "one another"

b. This indicates when together with other saints

c. It is religiously wrong to use instrumental music in worship to God because the Bible says "sing" and not play.

B) Sprinkling

1. Sprinkling water is not morally wrong. My mother used to sprinkle our clothes as she was ironing them.

a. We may sprinkle water on the lawn

b. My even given an infant a shower bath in which the water is "sprinkled" on them.

2. It is religiously wrong to substitute sprinkling for baptism

a. Baptism means "immersion" not sprinkling

b. This action is explained in Acts 8.38

C) Wearing human names

1. It is not morally wrong to wear the name "American" or a name given by your parents. I can even say it is ok to be called a doctor.

2. It is wrong to wear human names in a religious sense

a. Paul points this out in 1 Corinthians 1.10-13

b. This was a major cause of division in Corinth.

Conclusion: Some people seem to think that being of good moral character is all that is necessary in order to be saved. So, people will tell you how they are a good citizen, neighbor, etc. This is good and morally acceptable. But you can still be religiously wrong. Cornelius was of good moral character (Acts 10.2,22). Nevertheless, he needed to hear "words by which you and all your household will be saved" (Acts 11.14).

Will you be like Cornelius? Obey the gospel, do it right now.

(Lesson originally by Terry Sanders, with adaptation)

D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 03.18.07

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