On a recent website, writer Omar Bradley remarked: "Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants." This thought-provoking statement candidly portrays how man has used his God-given intelligence to do great things but many times forgets or neglects the moral dimension of his actions.
Morality – relating to events such as the September 11attack, scandals within the church fraternity, sanctioning of gay marriages in the West and corporate corruption – is increasingly and intensely debated.
An innovation such as the harnessing of nuclear energy, initially meant to bring positive benefits to mankind, has become instead the basis for the development of weapons of mass destruction. To justify issues such as these, what were once moral concerns have been denigrated to become amoral.
Traditionally-held moral values of developing societies have been subjected to brutal change. As historian Samuel Huntington predicted in his book "Clash of Civilisations", values-based conflicts have become a reality today as seen in the ongoing conflict between western nations and those holding to other cultural or religious ideologies.
The word "moral" denotes qualities such as being chaste, virtuous, ethical and pious, while "values" refers to consideration of worth – that which is esteemed, appreciated, highly rated or treasured. In the secular world, what is considered moral is that which is grounded in laws, religion and family, peer or societal norms.
But, as God’s children born of the Spirit (Jn 3: 5), we evaluate what is good or bad only on the basis of God and His character. The only foundation for moral values is God in our lives, the God of the Bible where Christian morality grows out of a relationship with Jesus.
As moral values shape the character of the individual, the community and the nation, they are indispensable ingredients in the nation-building agenda. Differently perceived definitions, views and standards amongst people, however, makes acceptance of what constitutes "universal values of moral integrity" a utopia (as seen in suicide bombings and human rights issues).
The Church’s Moral Integrity Challenged
Audrey Brownie in a Haggai Institute Lecture, 2000 sums up: "Sex, money and power (pride) as being three areas that challenge the moral integrity of people, Christians included."
The alarming incidence of sex-related scandals – pornography, prostitution, perversion and corruption of private thought life (Matt. 5: 28) – involving even some prominent men of God, not only poses a serious hind-rance to the Church’s efforts to fulfill the Great Commission but also stumbles the life of the Christian.
But, as God’s children born of the Spirit (Jn 3: 5), we evaluate what is good or bad only on the basis of God and His character.
As the root of temptations lies in the heart, adherence to sound doctrine is crucial for victorious living. As W.C. Faber says, "Every moment of resistance to temptation is a victory". Ministries have been destroyed, believers have been scattered and worldly lifestyles have infected the Church due to the absence of moral integrity. Spirituality, moral integrity and credibility wane if increasing love of money and materialism is unchecked.
The common saying, "power corrupts" has become a vivid reality in some seeking position, recognition or status. Because of a lust for power, even leaders who hold strong moral values concerning financial integrity and accountability have fallen. Building A Community With Moral Integrity
The Bible says, "Train up a child in the way he should go. And when he is old he will not depart from it"(Prov. 22:6). Values, both moral and non-moral, are acquired from infancy along with language, culture and socialized behaviour.
The influence of religious beliefs, customs, traditions, cultural practices and rules of social conduct shape our values and behaviour. The parental role in imparting bible-based moral values and discipline cannot be delegated. At the same time, the Church must guard against the deceptive ‘self-esteem’ teachings, which are solely based on humanistic psychology or "doctrines of devils" (1 Tim. 4: 1).
Moral integrity in the home, church and marketplace will enhance healthy individual and church growth towards spiritual maturity. It will also build a loving, caring and responsible Christian community and citizens who will engage positively in Kingdom and nation building respectively.
The Church’s task is to disciple Christians in developing moral values "after the image of Him that created him" (Col.3: 10) and replacing "old things" with the "new" (Eph. 4:17–24). Truth and morality are inseparable. Without Him in our lives, where is morality? Our destiny is determined by our moral worth. Living uncompromisingly in accordance with His standards of moral integrity is the best gift we can leave for our next generation and contemporary world.
Our witness as ‘salt and light’ can impact and convincingly transplant God-centered moral values to our "neighbours".
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