Jesus and Morality

By Todd

Morality is one of those “hot topics” that we see waved like a banner above many a church body. We cry out for purity among the body and lament over the rise of teenage pregnancy and STD’s. We do this because we are immersed in a culture that is saturated with immoral behavior. Consequently, the “church” has responded to correct the flaw by lifting the standard of proper behavior. We have advocated for the rights of the unborn, declared the detrimental effects of pornography, and called on our government for a higher moral standard, yet to what end? Is our desire to see greater morality alone?

When we place moral behavior on the pedestal, we may see some positive effects for a time, but it will not be lasting. We can compel others to moral behavior with the threat of discipline and enjoy the temporary fruit of peace, but it will be a false peace. Our children will temporarily display the behavior we aim for, but there will be no firm grasp, no inner desire for morality. We may be satisfied with moral conformation without ever looking at a person’s heart.

Today, there will be many moral people entering into Hell. They have sought to make morality their god. They have even endured ridicule and persecution for their odd behavior. They have felt justified in their actions, saying, “I do the right thing, because it’s the right thing to do”. CS Lewis says “Duty is a crutch used in place of love”. Unfortunately, we have made our duty to morality our god and proselytize outward conformation, not inner change. Without a change of the heart, our morality is nothing but wood, hay and stubble which will vaporize in the end.

Jesus said He “must be lifted up…” (John 3:14) Have we lifted the Son of Man? To whom do we bow – good behavior or Jesus Christ? I find that in my life, I govern much of my behavior by what I think is expected of me, especially when in the company of other “moral” people. A friend of mine would say it is out of fear, and I would agree. For fear of being ostracized, I do the “right” thing, and Christ goes on un exalted in my life. I may be temporarily satisfied for choosing the right path, but for whose honor? To whom have I bowed the knee?

Enter the Christ, Who makes all the difference. When Christ is lifted up, all priorities, decisions, and judgments rest upon Him. He is exalted and everything else takes a back seat. He must increase; we must decrease as John the Baptist said. Our decisions revolve not around ourselves or others, or what we think others expect, but around Him alone.

The choice to give Christ the reigns should not be out of coercion or reluctance. No, it is out of a realization that we are in need of Him as much as we need water or food, and that life itself does not exist without Him. He is The Resurrection and The Life. We give control out of desperation to live life as He meant it to be lived. If we suddenly found ourselves at the controls of a 747 while at 20,000 feet in the air, we would eagerly hand it over to a qualified pilot out of a desire to experience life (and not death) in the near future.

Out of sheer delight in Him and desire to experience Him to a greater depth, a follower will exalt Christ. When He is exalted, moral lifestyle comes as a response of worship. Life is seen as a gift, an opportunity to display affection for Him alone. Moral behavior then becomes the byproduct of love and the effect of devotion. Morality is no longer the goal in life, but the result of chasing after the goal of knowing and loving Him.

When our lives are dictated by the presence and character of Jesus, all we do is in effort to imitate Him. His character, His love, His motivation come through us. We receive strength not by our own efforts or resolutions, but by the power He gives us. Our motive is borne out of praise for Him. As He is holy, so we desire to live out a holy life. He brings an enabling strength to be moral that we do not have on our own.

When Christ is central, morality becomes joyful expression, not dry duty. A very present strength enables the believer to stand strong and take joy in the expression; not finding frustration at every turn. When others ask, Christ is easily given as the source of that strength. In this, Christ is exalted