Throughout history, people have made culturally acceptable but morally wrong decisions with unexpected consequences. Our founding fathers had a chance to outlaw slavery in 1776, but did not. Slavery was culturally acceptable at the time. This morally wrong decision would impact millions of people and have lasting repercussions to this day.
God gives a rule against murder as part of the Ten Commandments. As part of God’s Ten Commandments, He tells us in Exodus 20:13, ” You must not murder.”[1] In 1973, abortion was legalized in the United States, leading to the murder of millions of unborn children. As a pastor, I recall holding a private worship service for a woman who had two abortions. It was a time of confession but also a time of forgiveness and healing. This woman gave each aborted child a name because they were real people, which was part of the healing process.
This highlights the wonderful aspect of God’s love for us: we can be forgiven for our sins. You may have done something in your life that you realize is wrong. Don’t hesitate to go to God’s throne and pour out your heart to Him, for He is waiting with open arms to receive you!
God’s Plan Versus the Culture
God made it clear to Abram that he would have an heir to fulfill God’s covenant with him. However, as Abram and Sarai grew older, they took matters into their own hands. Genesis 16:2 So Sarai said to Abram, “The Lord has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal. 3 So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar, the Egyptian servant, and gave her to Abram as a wife. (This happened ten years after Abram had settled in the land of Canaan.) 4 So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt.[2]
To our modern ears, Sarai’s suggestion sounds odd. It’s understandable to question how Abram could consent to this, yet he did. In the context of that era, Abram’s decision to take Hagar as a second wife was lawful under the prevailing marriage code. Nonetheless, an action’s lawfulness or apparent success doesn’t necessarily align with God’s will.
God has Something Better for Us
We may not realize it, but God always has something better in store for us than the cultural norms of the day. The Angel of the Lord addressed Hagar as Sarai’s maid rather than Abram’s wife. God rejected Abram’s and Sarai’s plan because it was not His plan. He would fulfill His promise as recorded in Genesis 21:1-5. When we doubt God’s plan, we should remember His words to Abram. Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hard for the Lord?[3]
How can we be culturally acceptable but morally wrong? To find out more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-we-take-matters-into-our-own-hands
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.