We met at a local restaurant. Barely 16, she displayed all the classic signs of anxiety-tapping her cup, pushing back her hair, stealing quick glances at her father. Unmarried. Pregnant. Scared.
I was glad they had at least agreed to talk. Her mother argued for teenage marriage. Acceptable. Quick. Proper. Her father pushed abortion. Fast. Clean. Final. She thought it over slowly. Nothing seemed right. How could she ever make such a decision?
What could I saw that would give direction to this troubled adolescent Christian and her tense parents? How do we know what to do in troubling circumstances? Where do we look for direction? Fortunately, the book of Ephesians tells us that Christians face moral dilemmas with three distinct advantages. That”s good, because if anyone needed some edge it was this troubled teen.
First, Ephesians tell us great news! Even though the Ephesian Christians often made bad moral decisions, leaving them in moral bankruptcy, the author calls them the “faithful.” In the same book, he refers to them as “holy” and “blameless” but also as “darkened in their understanding” and “practicing all kinds of wickedness”! How could that be? How can somebody make bad judgments and still be called good? Don”t we have to make good moral decisions to keep our relationship with God?
Christians must comprehend grace before making moral decisions. Grace tells us: “I”m good not because of my moral life, but I”m good because of Jesus” death on the cross; I”m not saved because I”ve struggled up some mountain, but I”m saved because Jesus has lifted me to the top; I”m not forgiven because I”m perfect, but I”m forgiven because of the blood of Jesus.” We conclude, “I don”t need to make good moral decisions in order to be saved and pure. I make moral decisions because I am saved and pure.”
As a result, we refocus the decision-making process from “Make something of yourself,” to “God has made something out of you, so act like it.” We don”t need to hear, “You ought to act like you”re somebody,” but rather “God has made you somebody. Respond accordingly.”
Outside of grace, we”re like the students the teacher warns on the first day of school, “If you study hard, you”ll get an A. If you don”t cause problems, you”ll do well. If you do your homework, you”ll pass this year.”
Inside of grace, we”re in cap and gown listening to the graduation speaker: “You”ve got your degree. Now use it. You”ve got your education. Now put it to work. You”ve got the knowledge. Now make the world a better place.”
Against all human reason, the troubled teenage Christian sitting across from me in the restaurant booth was a pure and holy child of God, not because of her own judgment and actions but because of the cross. Now God called her to walk in the light because God had saved her. We wondered whether she would stay with Christ or choose ignorance.
Paul”s letter to the Ephesians also emphasizes the work of God in making moral decisions. There are two sides to God”s role: modeling and power. In describing God as a model, the text urges “Put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God” and “be imitators of God.”
The Gospels show us how Jesus made moral decisions. From the temptation of Satan, through the interruptions of the crowds, to the interrogations of deceptive religious leaders-Jesus models proper decision making. Christian decision making doesn”t depend on clean movies and wholesome TV. We are not called to be like culture but like God. A moral culture may make it easier to live a godly life, to raise good kids, and to teach pure ways, but the Bible says our model, our hero is God! (See Eph 4:24; 5:1).
Jesus” example helped us in our restaurant conference. What would be the response of Christ, who allowed the sinful woman to wash his feet? Suddenly things became clearer, remembering that Jesus on another occasion wrote in the sand while the accusers dropped their stones.
The other side of God”s work in making moral decisions is his power. Ephesians 3:20 affirms that God”s power works in many ways. But how? The text tells us: When we fully understand grace, our lives change. When God”s love fills our hearts, our perspective improves. When God seals us with the Holy Spirit, our actions reflect him.
Paul contrasts what the Christians have with what the world has. Light, not darkness. Hope, not despair. Wisdom, not ignorance. Tender
hearts, not hard hearts. Prayer, not alienation. Body, not loneliness.
My young friend in the restaurant struggled with whether to walk with God or to go it alone. She knew his standard, yet her youthful innocence provided little experience of his power. In the coming days, she seemed moved by the prayers and expressions of support from other Christians. As her parents increasingly insisted on their way, we all watched in amazement at her growing faith and deepening maturity.
Third, Ephesians tells us that the moral decisions we wrestle with over cups of coffee have a heavenly context. Ephesians 6:12 states that we battle not just with flesh and blood, but with Satan and his armies in heavenly places. We make moral decisions in a heavenly, spiritual context. When a Christian decides moral issues, the whole spiritual world is involved. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are present, as are Satan, all the forces of wickedness, and all the evil angels. We”re not alone. God lifts Christians into heavenly places. Forces for good stand on our side. The Father, his Spirit and his Son witness every decision.
Ephesians reports that when we bow to evil, we “grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (Eph 4:30). After each sin, the Holy Spirit cries. When we enter darkness, we hear wailing from the Spirit”s heart. The sobbing of the Holy Spirit echoes off the walls in the corridors of wickedness.
Other diners at the restaurant saw four people in a corner booth. Unknown to them, spirits from heaven and hell packed the room as that young Christian girl engaged in moral decision making. In the days to follow, the armies of righteousness fought skirmish after skirmish. Finally the forces of wickedness retreated. A few months later, she had a wonderful little baby girl. Careful premarital counseling prepared the new father and mother for marriage. One Sunday morning, God brought the father to Christ.
Ironically, moral dilemmas which leave us feeling isolated and confused are in reality the times when God most comes to our aid, reminding us of our grace-filled lives, leading us by his example and power, and surrounding us with the superior forces of righteousness. Don”t ever underestimate what may be going on in the corner of a restaurant. It may well be God winning another victory!
“The Unseen World of Moral Decision Making” was originally published in UpReach (Apr.-June 1993) 19-21. Used by permission. UpReach was a publication of Herald of Truth Ministries.