Comparitive Morality

Of Which I Am Guilty

I came into the book and media store rather late on Saturday night. I had ordered a movie, "Vera Drake," about a London abortionist during the 1950s. I heard that it was one of Imelda Staunton's best performances on film. I loved her portrail of Dolores Umbridge in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheniox" and she is well accomplished as an actress in Britain both on the stage and the set. In this production she plays a "good woman" with "a heart of gold" trying to "help out young girls what find themselves in the family way". The movie was well done as far as these US eyes can see and the performances outstanding.

There is however the issue of abortion or in this case aided miscarriages. Romans 1 talks about the world making its own standards apart from God in order to build its more attainable measure of morality. It is evident in this movie. When being questioned by the police about the use of particular tools that are more recognised as that of an abortionist, Mrs. Drake replied "Oh, I'd never do that." And although there were those opposed to the aided miscarrages, they didn't have any good reasons. Simply that "It's wrong ain't it?"

Praise God for even the limited conscience. For this world which we visit on our way to glory would be much more difficult to bare. Perhaps that's what we need? The Lord is faithful to provide all that we need. It seems that this might be the very thing to wake the sleepers who call themselves the church. Let us step away from what the world expects start comparing ourselves to God's standards.

Perhaps in the future I will post on the issue of my watching these movies in the first place but until then consider these verses.

Romans 1:18-25

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Luke 17:26-30

"And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. "

Ephesians 5:1-16
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says,

"Awake, O sleeper,

And arise from the dead,

And Christ will shine on you."

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.