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DIVINE INSTITUTIONS FOR MORAL STABILITY WITHIN THE HUMAN RACE
PART ONE: MORALITY
1. Since man is born in darkness and lives
under the authority and influence of darkness in Satan's world system, he
needs protection in life until he can enter the authority & influence of
God's kingdom of LIGHT. So God designed Divine morality.
A. Morality is LIGHT viewpoint made
available to those outside the authority and influence of LIGHT.
B. Morality does not provide entrance
into the LIGHT system. Nor in and of itself does it provide proper
function in LIGHT.
C. It is a way of life for
interrelationship between members of the human race to provide order and
stability in society so that humanity does not destroy itself through
the unbridled expressions of the sin nature or Satan's mismanagement and
inability to control.
D. Morality is a system for both
believer and unbeliever.
1. For the unbeliever, it provides
viewpoint to offset the darkness viewpoint around him and to control
the sin nature within.
a. It provides character
standards which cultivate moral integrity which then cultivates
an "esprit de corps" attitude of human brotherhood among all
peoples.
b. It provides overt standards
of punishment for abuses of freedom in order to control the
overt expressions of the sin nature.
c. This then promotes order and
stability within society and preserves freedom so that man might
search for spiritual reality without attack or censure. Acts
17.26-29. "And He
made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all
the face of the earth, having determined their appointed
times and the boundaries of their habitation SO THAT they
would seek God, if perhaps they might feel around for Him and
find Him, though He is not far from each one of us."
2. For the believer who fails to
live according to the spiritual standards of God's kingdom of LIGHT,
morality provides an overt control over the rebelliousness of the
sin nature.
3. In neither case does morality
provide salvation or the abundant life of John 10:10 ("I am come
that you might have life {salvation relationship} and abundance
{quality of life here on earth}"). That is only available through
entrance into (salvation) and living according to the spiritual
standards of God's kingdom of LIGHT. Romans 14:17, "The kingdom of
God is . . . righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
E. For the Believer who functions in
LIGHT, (perception and application of God's standards of truth) moral
discipline perpetuates the dedication to spiritual values into a
consistent expression of beneficent love. 1 Cor. 13:4-7.
See Topic: Beneficent Love
2. Outside the LIGHT system, morality is
observed by the unbeliever for self-benefit reasons.
A. Personal benefit
B. Collective benefit
C. Penalties for violations (enforced morality)
3. And if benefit can be achieved apart from
morality, ego under control of the sin nature responds accordingly.
A. Personal benefit
B. Collective benefit
C. If penalties for violations are not enforced, then morality provides
no real restraint on the sin nature.
4. Also outside the LIGHT system, morality is
subject to distortion and abuse by religion, philosophy, and political
systems.
PART TWO: HUMAN MORAL INSTITUTIONS As Designed
by God
PERSONAL FREEDOM
1. Divine morality is the code of human behavior designed by God to
cultivate and preserve freedom in the human race.
A. To give order and stability to human
society in the Devil's world.
B. And to provide overt restraint on man's corrupt sin nature.
2. In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve lived
in perfect environment with everything they needed, provided freely by God.
They enjoyed perfect relationship and fellowship with Cod and with each
other.
3.When Adam and
Eve rejected divine design in the garden, several things happened.
A. They lost relationship and
fellowship with Cod.
B. They acquired in their human physical make-up, a distorted corrupt
nature. (sin nature) Gen. 8:21
See Topic: SIN NATURE
C. They lost their authority over the world to Satan.
D. Also, as a result of man's sin, creation was put under a curse. This
expresses itself through an aggressive antagonistic environment.
E. All of these factors put pressure on man's social relationships and
affect the stability of human freedom.
4. The loss of
spiritual relationship with God removed man out from the place of Divine
viewpoint influence.
A. Since man's soul is designed to
function on Divine standards this removal placed him in a totally
disoriented condition.
B. This resulted in instability,
frustration and unhappiness since proper spiritual adjustment to God is
the only source for stability and happiness.
C. Accordingly, man's relationship to
man is affected based on influence from the sin nature, Satan and the
environment.
5 .The presence of
the sin nature resulted in instability and disorder in man's soul as well.
This also caused mans relationship with man to become distorted and
unstable.
A. individual freedom is undermined.
B. Man-woman relationship is undermined.
C. family relationships are undermined.
D. social relationships are undermined.
6. Satan's
rulership over the earth causes man to be influenced by Satan's promotion of
his own standards of life which are inferior and in opposition to divine
standards.
A. Man is created by Cod and designed
to live according to Divine standards for maximum happiness and
fulfillment in life.
B. Under Satan's influence, man is
subject to alienation from this happiness and fulfillment. Satan's
program cannot provide it.
C. Satan's program, in various ways and
degrees enslaves man's free-will and destroys personal freedom.
7. Because of the
curse on creation, man is now subject to an aggressively antagonistic
environment. This condition stimulates the sin nature even more in the areas
of selfishness and power lust, so that the order and stability of society is
affected, and freedoms are destroyed.
8. Therefore, God
instituted the principles of divine morality in order to restrict the
dictatorship of the sin nature and to provide for man in his spiritually
depraved condition, a system of order and stability.
9. The principles
of divine morality in a very basic degree, are built into the soul of man
and provide a natural but still potential restraint on the sin nature. Ec.
7:29; Rom. 2:14-15
Ec. 7:29, "God made man upright, but he has sought out many (opposing)
devices."
Rom. 2:14-15, "They
show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience
testifying and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them."
10. So to the degree that Divine morality is
practiced in human society, to that degree there will be order and stability
And accordingly, man's volition will be unhindered for response to to the
gospel. Acts 17:26-27, "So that they might seek for God."
11. The design for Divine morality is
expressed in four areas.
A. Man's soul or personal freedom and
volition:
B. Marriage: one man and one woman joined into a "one flesh unit."
C. Family: the environment and standards for raising children.
D. Nationalism: Standards for interaction within organized social
groups.
PERSONAL FREEDOM and VOLITION
1. The principle of free-will was in full operation as the focal point in
the angelic conflict. Gen. 2:9, 16-17
2. The issue in
the angelic conflict is the principle of personal choice. Will man who was
created inferior to angels, but with the same freedom to exercise choice,
choose for or against the absolute perfection of Divine authority, viewpoint
and standards?
The unbeliever has full freedom (free will) to choose for or against God's
revelation of His character and plan. There are many things that influence
that choice, but the choice, whether for or against, is NEVER forced or
decreed by anyone or anything.
3. Every invitation and command from God recognizes the existence of free
will; man's ability and responsibility to choose what he will think for
himself in every area of life.
4. Free will is not freedom to DO anything, for God can and does prevent
certain actions. But free will is freedom to THINK anything, and in the
mind, to CHOOSE anything. It is the overt follow through of the choice that
might be allowed or prevented by God.
MARRIAGE
1. God provided 4 grace gifts for the human
race in order to give happiness and fulfillment in life.
A. The gift of life and freedom:
basically, free will.
The right and responsibility to choose for yourself.
B. The gift of human partnership: one
man and one woman in the marriage relationship.
C. The gift of spiritual partnership:
salvation relationship through forgiveness of sins based on Christ's
work on the cross.
D. The gift of viewpoint partnership:
The provision of the viewpoint of the Godhead in written form so that we
might have fellowship with Him based on His thinking and standards.
2. Marriage was provided for the human race as
God's 2nd grace gift.
A. The gift of marriage is a
partnership between one man and one woman wherein each fulfills the
other through soul and body communication and fellowship.
B. The design was provided by God in
the garden of Eden even before sin entered into the world. Gen. 2:18-25
3. Marriage was provided by God for the
benefit of the human race.
A. Gen. 2:18, the divine evaluation of
the human race:
1. Not good (lo tobh) for the man
to be alone.
2. This is the creator doing the evaluation, not the creature.
B. This was prior to the fall.
C. After the fall, apply the principle of Gen. 2:24
D. To be alone: separated from your counterpart.
1. The principle of counterpart was
established in the animal kingdom as Adam had observed. Gen. 2:19-20
2. The need in his soul was already
present as indicated by the end of v. 20, "there was not found . .
."
3. This need went beyond animal
instinct as Adam recognized it within his human consciousness.
4. The need in man, and later in
the woman, was designed by God in order to provide unique inter-soul
relationship unavailable to the animals.
5. The maximum in human happiness
is realized through fulfillment of inter-soul relationship.
6. This does not suggest that
either is "frustrated" without the other.
7. It does suggest that it is wrong
to stay single when God has provided a counterpart.
8. It tells us that as long as man
and woman were separated, marriage could not function.
9. If marriage could not function,
then family and nations would be non-functional.
10. God designs that man and woman
get married unless his plan provides for the rare exceptions. Mat.
19:12
11. But human maturity and God's
guidance and timing must always be considered.
4. Divine action to provide the counterpart:
Gen. 2:18-19
A. I will make: AsAh = manufacture out
of existing material
B. This is accomplished by operation rib. Gen. 2:21-22
C. For him: This was done with marriage in mind.
D. The creation of male and female presupposes a divine plan for
marriage and for procreation. Gen. 1:27-28; Mat. 19:4-5
5. Marriage then is a divine institution
designed for the entire human race in order to provide fulfillment to
individuals, and order and stability for society. Marriage is also God's
plan for perpetuating the human race in a stable environment and protection
of the woman from abuse by man's sin nature.
6. It is God's plan and authority which
accommodates marriage. Therefore, the marriage unit is viewed as "what God
has joined together." Mat. 19:6
7. The counterpart that God designed is
tailored specifically for the man, and in turn, the woman finds a
counterpart for herself.
A. helpmeet: āzer kenegedo - a
helper corresponding to him. The idea of complement and fulfillment is
involved. A perfect "physical" complement and a perfect soul match.
B. Partnership: The one flesh unit
mentioned at Gen. 2:24
C. Partners in life: 1 Pet. 3:17, "heirs together of the grace of life."
The term "grace of life" refers to
human life in general.
D. Soul partnership:
1. Gen. 2:25, "not ashamed."
2. Song of Solomon 8:6, "seal on the heart." The marriage partner
fulfills the soul.
E. Physical partnership:
1. Jeremiah 31:22, "for the LORD
has created a fresh thing in the earth; a woman shall surround a
man."
a. This is not something that
is NEW.
b. It is something that has been neglected.
c. And God uses the image of "true marriage partnership" to
illustrate the relationship He will have with the nation of
Israel.
2. 1 Cor. 7:3-5, "Because of acts
of immorality, let each man have his own wife, and each woman have
her own husband."
F. Parental partnership: raising of
children together. Prov. 1:8; Eph. 6:1-3
8. Monogamy is established as the divine
design. 1 Cor. 7:2; Eph. 5:33; 1 Tim. 3:2; 5:9
9. Polygamy is totally contrary to divine
design.
See
topic: polygamy.
10. The happiness potential in marriage
A. Marriage offsets the "lo tobh" (not
good) factor of Gen. 2:18: Pr. 18:22; 12:4
B. The "one flesh unit" provides companionship and partnership in life.
Gen. 2:24 with 1 Pet. 3:7, "heirs together."
C. "No shame" indicates:
1. maximum soul relaxation toward
the human body.
2. Potential for maximum happiness from physical expressions of
love. 1 Cor. 7:3-5; Prov. 5:18
D. Potential for happiness through
raising children. Prov. 10:1; Ps. 127:3-5
E. Even the unbeliever, when moral
standards are followed has potential for great happiness in marriage. Ec.
9:9
11. Marriage was established as the basic unit
of human rapport and fellowship. But because of the sin nature, this too is
distorted through abuse and misuse. Accordingly, God designed principles for
the protection of freedom within the marriage relationship.
A. boundary for sex
B. Monogamy
C. Authority structure
D. Teaching of children
E. Penalties for violations
THE FAMILY
1. When Adam and Eve had children, the unit of the family was instituted.
Again, because of the sin nature, freedom can be lost through enslavement
within the family unit or through the destruction of the family unit.
Therefore, Divine morality has provided principles and guidelines for the
protection of children.
A. authority structure: Eph. 6:1
B. Training standards: Proverbs; Eph. 6:1-4
SOCIETAL STRUCTURE or NATIONS
1. As individual
family units began to increase, the need for social government developed.
But because of man's sin nature, there existed the tendency to distort
government, resulting in slavery.
2. Because of
man's distorted nature, his soul is subject to the corruption of darkness
viewpoint and influence, which tends to force its own individual will on
other members of the human race.
This is slavery and hinders the spread of Divine viewpoint standards as such
standards are restricted or even outlawed.
3. Therefore Divine morality has provided
principles of nationalism to deter one man or one group of men from
dominating the freedoms of society through either political or religious
activity.
Principles for the protection of personal freedom are found throughout the
Mosaic law. Two examples.
1. capital
punishment
2.Stealing
4. Preservation of
human freedom through Divine morality keeps the overt expressions of free
choice active in the Angelic conflict. This demonstrates to Satan and his
angels the perfection of God's character and accordingly, every time someone
chooses the standards of the LIGHT system over Satan's standards of
darkness, Satan is, figuratively speaking, slapped in the face because the
standards of truth are vindicated as being more valuable than the standards
of independence from God.
5. For the
unbeliever, morality is a way of life that provides order and stability and
preserves personal freedom. It is, in fact, the only freedom available to
the unbeliever.
A. It is not a religious system nor of
any spiritual value.
B. It is however, a rigid system which operates on strict principles of
enforcement, both natural and applied.
C. The issue in morality is the overt. It does not provide "inner"
freedom or happiness because of the presence of the sin nature.
D. However, the unbeliever can find a
degree of happiness through morality life, although, more precisely,
this is simply the emotional feeling of "comfort" that results from
order and stability in his personal life and in society.
E. The standards of morality life are
absolute since they are Divine design, but they only provide a guide for
the human race. They do not change character.
F. In fact, the morality standards
demonstrate to man his sinfulness and depravity because they expose the
inner character for what it is. Rom. 3:20, "through the law is the
knowledge of sin."
G. To the degree That morality
standards are violated, to that degree the sin nature will dominate ones
personal life and cause disorder and instability within. This results in
unhappiness, insecurity and fear.
H. When morality standards are violated
by government, society becomes dominated by that government and various
degrees of enslavement results which destroys personal freedoms and
therefore hinders the advance of LIGHT standards.
I. When morality standards are
distorted into a religious way of life, the results are totally opposite
to their intended purpose.
1. Instead of the preservation of
freedom, slavery and fear is the result.
2. Instead of cultivating evangelism, it promotes the darkness
system and darkness viewpoint.
6. For the
believer, morality life is an extension of his spirituality and a
fulfillment of priesthood and ambassadorship.
A. The believer is not taken out of
society, but is to live in society as a source of both moral and
spiritual viewpoint and guidance. Phil. 2:14-16; Jn. 17:15
B. Morality is not spirituality, but
spirituality conforms to morality standards. Divine morality is God's
viewpoint.
C. Morality in the life provides a major area of testimony to
unbelievers. 1 Pet. 2:12-15
D. Therefore, the believer's responsibility in Divine morality is to
promote its standards in the world through personal application and
teaching.
E. Morality life standards are just as
strict to believers as to unbelievers, and although the believer is
under the special care and attention of God, when he violates them, God
will either (1) allow the natural consequences to take place (Principle
of Rom. 13:1-7).
or (2) apply the principle of divine discipline. Heb. 12:6.
PART THREE
THE ISSUE OF CONFLICTING COMMANDS
1. Orientation:
A. Every command In the Word of God is
based on a principle of absolute Divine righteousness.
B. The righteousness of God is revealed in the Word as His norms and
standards for thinking and behavior.
C. The decrees of God have established authority levels designed to test
and prove the supremacy of God and resolve the angelic conflict.
D. God has established 2 authority
levels which are necessary in the preservation of the human race so the
conflict can be resolved.
1. Spiritual authority
2. Moral authority
E. Spiritual authority defines the
rights and power of God's sovereignty over his creatures.
1. Sp. authority begins with the
Godhead as the Father delegates authority to the Son and Spirit.
2. From the Godhead, authority is delegated directly to the body of
Divine revelation - the Scripture.
3. Then indirectly to each believer
priest based on ambassadorship and stewardship.
F. Moral authority defines and
regulates interrelationships between members of the human race.
1. It too, however, has its origin
within the Godhead, as He alone knows what is best for the creature.
2. Moral authority exists In 4
areas.
a. Volition
b. Marriage
c. Family
d. Nation
2. God has placed these two levels of
authority side by side in the human race.
A. But because of freewill and the sin
nature, there is the possibility of conflict.
B. The moral authorities may not recognize or honor spiritual laws.
C. The moral authorities may not recognize or honor moral laws.
D. In other words, some authority may tell you to do something that
violates spiritual law or God's moral law.
3. God's word establishes a priority between
these 2 levels.
A. Spiritual authority is absolute as
it represents the very essence of the LIGHT system. I Jn. 1:5 - God is
LIGHT and in Him is no darkness.
B. Moral authority is delegated to
imperfect creatures and therefore deals with principle.
C. Moral authority can express itself in an immoral way and yet it still
remains the authority.
D. When man rejects spiritual
authority, he rejects the absolutes of Divine standards. This becomes
religion and has no authority over man.
E. When moral authority attempts to
restrict spiritual authority, the spiritual authority has priority and
the believer is not bound by the moral authority in that area.
4. Spiritual authority always has priority
over moral authority. Acts 5:29 We must obey God rather than man.
A. The two are not In conflict.
B. But when an imperfect moral authority sets itself up in opposition to
spiritual laws, the spiritual laws take precedent.
C. If a corrupt moral authority enslaves through corrupt policies, the
believer is still under the principle of that authority unless the
oppression hinders observance of spiritual laws.
D. Spiritual laws are Divine mandates
for worship and service.
E. Even though a corrupt moral authority advocates immorality and
indeed, practices immorality, the believer is still obligated to the
principle of authority.
F. The believer combats immorality and
apostasy within society through his witness of life and his message; not
violence nor anything that obstructs the freedom of others. 2 Cor.
10:3-6
G. Our Christian mandate is not to
force others to be Christian, or even moral, but to teach Truth and
provide LIGHT influence in every area of society. Eph. 5:6-21
5. The Christian obligation to authority: Eph.
5.22-6.9
A. Marriage: 5:22-33; 1 Pet. 3:1-7
B. Children: 6:1-3
C. Parents: 6:4
D. servants: 6:5-5; 1 Pet. 2:18
E. masters: 6:9
F. Nation: 1 Pet. 2:13-14; Rom. 13:1-7
6. Principle of moral authority delegated to
human institutions.
A. John 19:11
B. Rom. 13:1-2
C. Dan. 4:17
D. Jer. 27:5-5
E. Ex. 20:12- parents
F. Gen. 3:16 marriage
7. The potential for conflict:
A. Mat. 10:34-39
B. Psalm 2:2-3
8. How to handle the crisis. Daniel 6:1-23
A. The conflict develops - v.1-5
1. v.1-3 - operation jealousy
2. v.4 - operation criticism - failed (1 Pet. 4:12-16)
3. v.5 - The believers vulnerability (Achilles heel) is his
dedication to spiritual laws.
B. Operation conspiracy - v.6-9
1. The. plan: create a conflict
between moral authority and Daniel's perception of spiritual
authority.
a. The king is a dupe in this
situation.
b. The political rulers are the instigators.
2. Daniel recognized the existence
of moral authority.
He was part of that moral authority.
3. The conspiracy against him
recognized the importance of spiritual authority in his life.
4. They used moral authority to try
to overrule spiritual authority.
They made a law against prayer.
C. Daniel, knowing the new law,
followed spiritual law as was his custom. v.10
1. The conflict was resolved in
Daniel's soul by yielding to the higher authority.
2. Moral authority: No one shall make a petition to any god or man
besides the King (Darius) for 30 days.
3. Spiritual authority: worship and
service. Summarized at Deut. 6:1-15
D. Daniel handled the crisis by
applying Bible Truth through the operation of faith rest (trusting) in
the plan and viewpoint of God. Principle of I Pet. 3:13-17
E. The conspirators invade privacy, v.
11
1. Dan was not trying to keep
anything secret -
2. But it was still home worship done in privacy.
F. Operation hook: v. 2 - Darius
doesn't have any idea that his best political aide is in violation of
the new law.
G. They "reel in" Darius by exposing
Daniel. v.13
H. Darius tries to prevent them from taking Daniel. v.14
I. But he is bound by his own law. v.15-17
J. Comforts Daniel with what he hopes is true although he himself is an
unbeliever. v. 16b
K. Practices his religious ritual in attempt to appease God. v.15
L. In the morning, Darius hopes for the impossible. v.19-20
M. Daniel's attitude: v.21-23
v.21 - 0 King, live forever: title of
respect because Dan still recognizes the moral authority he is under.
v.22 - Explanation
1. innocent before Him - God
2. Committed no crime against Darius
v.23 - Narrative summary
1. No harm because he trusted in
his God. Principle of 1 Pet.4:19
2. No harm is only one option in God's plan.
3. Sometimes He allows harm - even death. Heb. 11:32-39; Acts
7:59-60; 12:1-2
4. But always His plan is promoted and the believer benefits from
the perspective of spiritual value. I Pet. 3:13; Rom. 5:35-37
9. Dan. 3:1-18; Acts 5:17-42; Acts 4:1-31
10. Application to social action
A. These passages cannot be used to
advocate social demonstrations or physical actions for support of any
cause.
B. The issue was worship and service.
Not politics or morality.
C. Our responsibility as Christians is to represent Truth by our witness
in life and word.
D. That means we speak when we have a chance, but we do not force
ourselves upon anyone either emotionally or physically.
E. The present laws of this nation
permit us the right of peaceful assembly, and of speaking out on any
issue without fear of government reprisal.
F. And if the laws forbad us to
proclaim our message of Bible Truth, then we would be obligated to the
higher spiritual law that commands us to proclaim. Acts 5:29
G. But never are we authorized to use
violence, oppression, coercion or invasion of privacy to make that
proclamation.
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