The Theory of Relativity--I Mean Relativism By Shalene

No, today's article is not about Einstein's Theory of Relativity. Please visit the provided link, if that is what you were looking for. For those of you that know what my writings are really about, or those just visiting and wanting to learn more about what it means to live as Christ follower, I invite you to read on.

Today's article is about moral relativism. "What is that??!!", you ask? Moral Relativism is defined by Wikipedia as

In philosophy, moral relativism is the position that moral or ethical propositions do not reflect objective and/or universal moral truths, but instead make claims relative to social, cultural, historical or personal circumstances. Moral relativists hold that no universal standard exists by which to assess an ethical proposition's truth; it is the opposite of moral absolutism. Relativistic positions often see moral values as applicable only within certain cultural boundaries or in the context of individual preferences. An extreme relativist position might suggest that judging the moral or ethical judgments or acts of another person or group has no meaning, though most relativists propound a more limited version of the theory.

Still confused?? That's ok. By reading that definition, I might be too. :)

So What Is Moral Relativism??

Here is another easier definition from Truthnet.org to wade through:

What is Moral Relativity: is the view that when it comes to questions of morality, there are no absolutes and no objective right or wrong; moral rules are merely personal preferences and/or the result of one’s cultural, sexual or ethnic orientation.

Basically, it means that whatever is right for one person, is right, because of that person's position, or sometimes because of a person's society that they live in. For example, in moral relativism, if you steal a loaf of bread to feed your children, it is ok, and not really stealing, because you needed it. The end justified the means. It's also the school of thought that says "So long as it doesn't hurt anybody, it's ok." This is where the term "It's all relative" is used so often. In moral relativism, there is no absolute right and wrong, it's all just gray areas. It all depends upon the circumstances surrounding the action.

Does anyone else out there have a problem with this?! How can there be no absolute right and wrong if God has so clearly indicated that there is? And even in situations where a person will say "it's all relative", like in the situation above, if they are caught they will be punished. Because it IS wrong. Stealing is stealing, lying is lying, murder is murder (the killing of innocent people), and adultery is adultery. None of these is ok, no matter what justification is used. They are all morally wrong, and according to God, sins.

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 NKJV

So why is it then, that even Christ followers (myself sometimes included) will find ourselves using moral relativity to excuse our behaviors, especially idolatry? Why do we think that it is ok to have a love of money, when we KNOW without a doubt that that is a love of Mammon, and a form of idolatry? Why is it that we put our wants ahead of God's commands? Why is it that we will allow moral relativity? I pray, meditate on this today:

Righteous are You, O LORD,
And upright are Your judgments.
Your testimonies, which You have commanded,
Are righteous and very faithful.
My zeal has consumed me,
Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
Your word is very pure;
Therefore Your servant loves it.
I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is truth.
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me,
Yet Your commandments are my delights.
The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting;
Give me understanding, and I shall live. Psalm 119:137-144 NKJV(emphasis mine)

Defining Sin After All by Shalene

Ok, so I changed my mind about posting today- AGAIN. But as they say, it's my prerogative as a woman. I must say though, that I am sorry dear readers, to disappoint you, but I'm not gonna do it. (Yes, I said it that way on purpose.) I am not going to attempt to define sin for many reasons:

1. It would be too difficult- Defining sin would be like trying to define God in mortal terms. It can't be done. All believers know that no matter how many words we come up with to label Him, He is still undefinable.
2. It would be too easy- Too easy to take the "Ten Commandments" or "The Seven Deadly Sins" or anything else that can be found in the bible to define sin, but I'd never get to my point. (I do usually have one.)
3. Defining sin would mean defining who is a sinner, and that is unnecessary, because we all are. All that would accomplish would be for me to start judging others and I try really hard not to do that.
4. God really doesn't care as much about the sin, as He does about the sinner. Yes, He cares that we sin, but once we repent, the sin is wiped clean.

The ONLY sin that I feel comfortable defining and the only one that makes a difference in your eternal salvation is unbelief. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The ONLY unpardonable sin is unbelief. Unbelief in God as the One true God, the Alpha and the Omega; and unbelief in His Son- Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. And I'll say this again: the only reason this sin is unpardonable, is because those that don't believe, don't believe that God can pardon any of their sins, because they don't believe in Him. If you don't believe in God, then he can't pardon your sin- your unbelief won't let Him. It's that easy.

Ok, now I feel better. I don't know if this post has been edifying to you at all, but I feel better. :) Trust in the Lord with all your heart, all your mind and all your soul, and you can't go wrong. You will still sin. We all will, but we have faith knowing that he does not judge the sin, only the sinner. Remember the adulterous woman. He did not condemn her, and He does not condemn us either, so long as we believe in Him.

--Lord thank You for the clarity needed to revise my post today. I thank You in Your divine wisdom that I was moved to not post my original thoughts. I pray that this post will be edifying to those that wish to know You better. And most of all, I pray that this message glorifies You alone. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

A Christian Hypocrite (cont'd) by Shalene Kearney

A wise man once told me that when I was referring to a Christian hypocrite, that what many unbelievers don't know, and possibly don't understand is that it actually pains a true believer when they sin. We feel the grief we have caused the Holy Spirit within us. Sometimes that pain is even physical.

I make this point, because while it's true there are those in society that profess to be "Christians" that do not follow in Christ's footsteps as they should, a true Christ follower, will not sin, with the forethought that they will "just repent later and all will be well."

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26-27 (NLT) While it's true that this topic is not the context of what Paul was writing about in these two verses, it is still applicable. When a true believer sins, the Holy Spirit is groaning ever more passionately that we might repent and put our thoughts and actions back into alignment with God's plan for us.

So today, take the time to show the Love of Christ to all you come into contact with, feel the conviction of the pain you cause with your day to day sin. Welcome it, and repent. Make a point of not excusing your sins with the thought that you will repent later, because there may not be a "later."

---Lord, I pray today that you work through me to mirror your love to all. Convict me of my sins in the moment that I think them, so that I do not commit them. Move me to repent of even the temptation of sinful behavior and thoughts. Help me to not be a Christian hypocrite. Lord, help me to further your kingdom today, and to glorify you in all that I do. I ask this in Jesus' Holy Name.
Amen