In a recent Gallup poll, when asked about the overall state of moral values today, only 15% of Americans see moral values in the U.S. as “excellent” or “good,” while a significant 49% view the state of morality as “poor.”[i]
In many ways, I’m not surprised; are you?
Just look around us, at least from a media perspective. When I talk to my neighbors or friends, it’s not as obvious. Maybe I am hangin’ out with people that care about these things, especially as a representative of the most High King of the Universe.
I was particularly struck by the fact that 69% of the people surveyed felt it was morally acceptable to have sex between an unmarried man and woman and 68% believed it to be ok to have a baby outside of marriage. When you align that with a Barna survey that showed only 4% of professing Christians having a Biblical worldview[ii] I suppose it’s not all that surprising.
Where would you land on these and other questions?
Here’s what I’d challenge you to do. Compare your view with what is often defined as the cornerstones of a Biblical worldview.
They are:
- An orthodox, biblical understanding of God.
- All human beings are sinful by nature; every choice we make has moral considerations and consequences.
- Knowing Jesus Christ is the only means to salvation, through our confession of sin and reliance on His forgiveness.
- The entire Bible is true, reliable, and relevant, making it the best moral guide for every person, in all situations.
- Absolute moral truth exists—and those truths are defined by God, described in the Bible, and are unchanging across time and cultures.
- The ultimate purpose of human life is to know, love, and serve God with all your heart, mind, strength, and soul.
- Success on earth is best understood as consistent obedience to God—in thoughts, words, and actions.
Today, I simply want you to take a closer look at your relationship with Christ, others, and the world around you. Don’t believe everything you’re told and only half of what you see. Do your own research. Dig into God’s Word.
Take the steps necessary to finish well. To be set apart from the world. In it, not of it. Jesus’ return is imminent.
Let’s shift the morality in America and follow His lead.
Steve
[i] https://news.gallup.com/poll/1681/Moral-Issues.aspx
[ii] https://www.barna.com/research/a-biblical-worldview-has-a-radical-effect-on-a-persons-life/
