Seeking What’s Right in a Morally Compromised World
Over the past several weeks, North Way has been studying the life of Abraham. While there is much to emulate about Abraham’s faith, there are also several instances in which his actions are unfaithful and downright immoral. I have found myself shocked by what seem to be obviously bad decisions. Wasn’t Abraham seeking to do what was right?
Why am I so surprised when he makes morally compromised choices? When I slow down and consider my own reactions, I have to admit to myself that there are plenty of situations in which I’m not quite sure what’s right. Whether I’m navigating a challenging relationship or deciding whom to vote for in the midterm elections, I have to acknowledge that I’m part of a morally compromised world, where recognizing what’s right isn’t always easy. Still, I believe there are truths that can help us navigate the confusion and complexity of our world. Seeking what’s right begins with agreeing with God about these three realities.
Reality #1: I Am Morally Compromised
Jesus spoke directly to this reality in Matthew 7:3–4. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?” Wrapped up in this teaching is the truth that we all struggle to recognize where we are morally compromised. In other words, I tend to assume that I’m right. When I fall into this way of thinking, I make myself my own moral authority. When someone else’s thoughts or views diverge from my own, I assume they are wrong. The problem with this, of course, is that I don’t always see things clearly. I often don’t even see myself clearly. God is the only true moral authority. Agreeing with God about this reality means recognizing that I’m an unfinished work, still being transformed (Romans 12:1–2). Therefore, I must acknowledge that my own understanding of right and wrong is not always accurate and continually seek to align it with God’s truth.
How can we know if we’re struggling to admit this reality to ourselves?
You perceive others to be wrong more often than you are.
You listen to others primarily to identify where they are wrong.
You make it a personal crusade to help others see what you believe is wrong with the world.
Let’s seek what’s right by consistently submitting ourselves to the only true moral authority, acknowledging that we have not yet arrived at a perfect understanding of right and wrong.
Reality #2: Our Communities Are Morally Compromised
When I was growing up, my mom would regularly ask me, “If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you jump off, too?” My mother wasn’t really asking a question. She was pointing out faulty thinking. Just because something seems normal or acceptable in my community doesn’t mean it’s right and good.
It is far easier to detect these compromises in communities outside our own because we tend to unknowingly accept the values of our own communities as “normal.” For example, in the Book of Genesis, when Abraham gives his wife over to Pharaoh or when Lot offers his daughters to the people of Sodom, we can’t fathom how they could see these actions as acceptable. However, they were part of communities and cultures that did not value women as highly as God does. Our communities are made up of morally compromised people, so they, too, are morally compromised. And we tend not to notice the ways in which our own communities are compromised. Whenever we make our communities our moral authority, we fail to recognize that some of the norms and values we hold might conflict with the teaching of Jesus. Yes, even a church community is, at some level, morally compromised. The apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 4 to speak the truth to one another in love so that our church community can mature in its alignment with God’s heart. We must embrace the fact that even the best communities are not completely right all the time.
How can we know if we’re struggling to admit this reality to ourselves?
You can’t identify any areas where your community could align more closely with God’s heart.
You assume your community’s motives and practices are always consistent with Scripture.
You assume your community’s leaders are incapable of moral failure.
Let’s seek what’s right within a morally compromised community by devoting ourselves to the teaching of Jesus, and humbly encouraging our communities embrace the truth of God’s Word.
Reality #3: Our Systems Are Morally Compromised
I want to be clear about this. Just as I believe some communities are further along in embodying God’s character and heart, I believe some systems are better suited to help society flourish. For example, I believe republics are more effective than totalitarian regimes. However, because morally compromised people form our communities and those communities shape the systems we use to organize and govern society, those systems are also morally compromised. Humanity’s problems won’t be solved simply by electing the right candidate so we can finally enjoy a morally perfect system. Even the Mosaic law God Himself set in place could not eradicate humanity’s problem with sin (Romans 8:3). Admitting that our systems are morally compromised does not mean that we should abdicate participation in those systems. Similar to the way we want to stay engaged with our communities, staying engaged in those imperfect systems is one of the ways we seek the welfare of others. However, we need to understand the limitations of our systems. Systems won’t change hearts. Jesus does.
How can we know if we’re struggling to admit this reality to ourselves?
Your political party determines which biblical principles you defend and which you ignore. - AND Campaign.
You feel a sense of despair when your candidate or party is not elected.
You see better legislation as the primary battleground for the gospel.
Let’s seek what’s right within morally compromised systems by being “salt and light” and engaging the world and its systems in ways that align with the character and message of Jesus. This includes exercising our rights at the local, state, and federal levels. Learn about candidates, vote, and even run for public office if God is leading you. For a deeper look at this topic, I highly recommend my friend Keith Ferguson’s recent post, “Before You Cast Your Vote.”
There is, however, one advantage we have over Abraham when it comes to seeking what’s right. We have seen clearly the truly righteous One. Without Him, we cannot be made right. Seeking what’s right begins with acknowledging three things: I need Him personally, my community needs His leadership, and our systems need the influence of His people.
Conor O'Hearn
Senior Pastor
North Way Bible Church