In the Aspire class this semester we are covering ethics. Ethics is the study of actions that are morally right or wrong, and what makes those actions right or wrong. Ultimately, the Lord Jesus defines, from His very nature and character, what is right and what is wrong. He has the authority to command how we should live and to reward or punish those who live according to His will and those who live in rebellion against His will. There is much to say in our age about discerning the ethical will of the Lord. Some matters are as old as humanity on the earth, and other matters Christians are only now confronting how to live as new issues emerge through medical and technical progress.
It is important to note that ethical obedience to the will of Jesus only comes after our repentance from sin and belief in the gospel of Jesus. The law of God determines right from wrong, but the law can never bring life because no person can ever perfectly keep the demands of the law. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23. The law shows us our sin. The law clearly identifies our sin and condemns us for it. Only Jesus perfectly kept all the demands of the law, and in His perfection, He died to pay the price for our sin as a substitution for us. In Christ Jesus, the justice of God is satisfied so that the grace of God might be ministered to all who repent and believe. Repentance and faith are first, making progress in following the commands of Jesus second. We do not clean up our actions, then present ourselves to God. No! We come with humble repentance and faith, trusting in the grace of Jesus alone for salvation. After entering the Kingdom of God by grace, we receive a new nature that longs to follow Jesus. By this new life we make progress in sanctification, putting off the old ways of the world and putting on the new ways of Jesus.
The following ethical studies are not presented in a particular order, but as they have been presented in class. If you have further questions, I encourage you to submit them to info@redeemerVA.org or write them down and put them in the tithe box. I will address submitted questions at the December 14 “Ask Pastor Vic” Q&A session.
Language – Profanity
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7 ESV
Our language can either honor the Lord or dishonor Him. Our language can either be honorable or dishonorable. Our language can be either holy or profane. The root of this definition comes from the third of the ten commandments. The foundation of honorable speech is to honor the name of the Lord. To speak the name of God is the most honorable and holy word that can be spoken. The name of God was so sacred to the Jews that they came up with other ways to refer to the name of God without actually speaking His name because His name is so fearfully holy. It was unthinkable to use the name of God as a profanity. To use the name of God as an obscene word is the most serious sinful use of language that exists, and it will not happen without punishment from God for intentionally dishonoring Him.
The name of Jesus is the name above every name (Philippians 2:9-11). The name of Jesus is to be praised and honored and spoken with love. The name of Jesus is the name by which we pray. The precious name of Jesus may never be used as an obscenity! It is not a coincidence that the name of Jesus is still used by non-Christians as a common obscenity and swear word. This is an intentional spiritual matter. People are led by evil to slander, defame, and undercut the ministry and glory of Jesus. It’s not a coincidence that no one uses the names of Zeus or Thor as a profanity. These mythological characters do not exist and are irrelevant. But Jesus lives, and to profane His name is a true act of obscenity.
Ceasing to swear in the name of Jesus is one of the first things that changes in the language of person that proclaims “Jesus as Lord!” We must be careful in our words as Christians. We must move from here to the other passages of Scripture that instruct our language: Ephesians 4:29-32, 5:4, Colossians 3:8. In these passages we are instructed to refrain from words identified in our language as obscene and instead use words that build up others and honor the Lord. Every language has words that carry obscene definition. We must carefully avoid these words, praying for self-control from the Holy Spirit. We must remain consistent in our godly language no matter the setting and no matter our age. An important part of how we are gospel light and preserving salt in the culture is through speaking differently than the world.
In the end, this matters so much because words proceed from the heart. Wicked words proceed from a wicked heart. Godly words proceed from a godly heart. May God help us by His Spirit to speak with honor, truth, love, peace, and courage. May all our words work to honor Jesus, promote peace and unity in the church, and build one another up.
Gambling
“Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 ESV
This subject is important as gambling is rapidly expanding all around us, particularly in the demographic of young men. Casino based gambling is now legal in most states, including Virginia. More importantly, gambling phone apps (especially those related to sports betting) are available to everyone 24/7 and are especially aimed at young men. These enterprises are rising up because there are billions of dollars to be made in the gambling industry. This is a profitable business because it’s based on human greed and the house always wins in the end. Does the Bible speak about gambling? Yes, it does.
I define gambling as a game of odds upon which real money is wagered. The goal of gambling is not to play a game, but to turn a small amount of money into a large amount of money quickly and without work. To understand the biblical position on gambling as defined above, we must understand the biblical position on work, contentment, and how “odds” are viewed in the Bible.
Let’s begin with work. From creation work was assigned to Adam before sin entered the world. Work is good for every person and a major part of what gives our life value and purpose. Work became difficult and a struggle after sin entered the world, but it has not lost all value. It is God’s design that our basic needs be supplied by the work of our hands (1 Thessalonians 4:10b-12, Ephesians 4:28), and that as we work God will graciously supply more than our basic needs. This excess is not to be poured into extravagance, but generosity to those truly in need.
The Bible has much to say about being content with what you have. This does not mean that all forms of ambition are wrong, but a pure desire to be rich and live a lavish life free of work is not a godly desire. Paul writes clearly that those who are discontent with what the work of their life produces and long to be rich will, “pierce themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:6-10, Proverbs 23:4). Those who take their hard-earned money to the gambling table in hopes of getting rich by the odds being in their favor will be sadly disappointed.
Last, the Bible is very clear that there is no such thing as chance. In the Old Testament there are many occasions of godly people “casting lots.” In every occasion this casting of lots was not a matter of leaving a decision to chance, but a basic, on the spot, way of discerning the will of the Lord. The understanding of the Jews was that God is sovereign over every small thing of life, and that direction could clearly be found by prayer and casting lots (Proverbs 16:33). The final occasion of casting lots relates to selecting the final apostle to replace Judas the betrayer (Acts 1:26). This is the last occasion of casting lots in Scripture, as the Holy Spirit is given soon thereafter to indwell our hearts and illume the Scripture – giving all the guidance we need to discern God’s will.
All together, Christians should be hard-working, wise with using their money to meet their needs, not be greedy for wealth without work, and understand that there is no such thing as chance. All gambling is set to make the house rich, not the gambler. Also, the atmosphere of casinos is always one of sinful living and glorification of greed, lust, drunkenness, and excess. The conclusion is that we as Christians should stay far away from gambling and its casinos. Let us instead live hardworking, content, honorable lives ever seeking the Kingdom of God instead of the glamour of this passing world.
Give us obedience to all Your ways, oh Lord,
Pastor Vic