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THE BIBLE
THE LORD JESUS
AND YOU
by John Roberts

And You
Chapter 35

A NEAR neighbour was quite beside herself. She sat with her cup of tea and began to pour out her troubles. It seemed that one of her unmarried daughters was expecting a child. Grandma-to-be was horrified. Where had she gone wrong?

"I've done everything for those children;" she said. "We've given them a good education. We've done everything we could to help them. We've taught them to be honest and hardworking.. We've tried to show them how to be fair and decent. We've given them good clean values and proper standards. Why should this happen?"

We sat and talked for a while. It became apparent that Madge and George had indeed done their best. They had passed on what they thought were good Christian standards. Unfortunately, modern education had challenged these. Modern values had undermined their work. Adolescence had brought changing attitudes in their children. The values of others had rubbed off on them.

"Why shouldn't I?" they had begun to ask. The only answer mum and dad could offer was: "Because we say so." But they were old-fashioned as far as the children were concerned. Why should they be right any more than the moderns? Because dad said so was really no reason at all. Times had changed. Dad didn't understand.

When Madge had gone home we began to think about our own children. Would we make the same mistakes? What was it that they had done wrong?

The Need For Standards
The sad part was that neither Madge nor George had any time for religion. The Bible was not a book they ever bothered with. Consequently their own standards were the only authority they could offer their children. When these were questioned there was nothing else, no backstop.

Modern thinking teaches children to question old values. Modern education often derides old ideas. It scoffs at ways it regards as out-dated. One generation's opinions are just as good as another's.
The Bible is a valuable authority. When the children ask why this way, the answer should be: "Because God says so:" When modern ideas challenge our values we go back to the Bible to see what it says. My ways may be old-fashioned, but God's wisdom is timeless. His values are wise, His standards are right for every generation.

Contents

The Bible

The Lord Jesus

And You

page 113

The world has set standards for various things. Once upon a time these were very vague. They depended on the size of a man's hand, or his stride. Today they are very precise. Whether we buy a yard or a metre we know exactly how long it should be. Whether we obtain a pound or a kilogram it should match exactly with our own scales. When we have paid for our goods we are aware of what change there should be.
In every kind of weight and measure, standards have been set. Justice means conforming to those standards.

In behaviour too there are certain standards. The law of a country lays down what is acceptable practice there. However, these laws are concerned with more abstract things. You cannot measure morals in the same way as apples. That is why, in these things, the standards have shifted.

Getting Away With It
For many people the only crime is being found out. They make allowances for themselves. They feel they can justify their own actions. They regard it as perfectly alright to drive at any speed they wish. Only if there is a policeman following do they have regard to the limits.

Stealing time from work is justified on the basis of "He does it, so why shouldn't l?" Petty thieving from employers takes place because "They won't miss it, they've got plenty more." Prices have to be put up to take account of the items which have "fallen off the back of a lorry".

What is true in little things is true in large ones too. The law used to be, "Thou shalt not commit adultery". Today, however, marriage breakdown is common. Many people accept the idea of living together outside of marriage. Those not personally involved feel it is none of their business. If it makes the people concerned happy, then it's alright for them. The standard is only judged by whether or not it might damage the health or happiness of others. The prevailing idea today, therefore, has changed the law. It is "better" to stick to one partner. It may be quite acceptable to commit adultery provided you are careful. This is not God's way.

Even this dramatic lowering of standards is not enough for some. A television programme showed some of the dangers of AIDS. Young people interviewed, however, were not concerned. "You have to die sometime," was their attitude. "You could be run over by a bus:" Their thinking is clear. Whatever the consequences, they would do as they liked. Not only is the law itself disregarded, the results of ignoring it are also despised. Neither law nor punishment will deter them.

The Bible speaks plainly against all immorality. Sex outside marriage is not right. Homosexuality is also condemned.

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God:"
(1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

 AND YOU 

page 114

Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2v15

Romans 10:17 ... faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

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7... Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Romans 4