LACK OF MORAL
DISCIPLINE
INTRODUCTION
Lack of moral discipline is losing the capacity to perceive what is morally right or wrong. There is an indulgence taking place that could be liken to the pre-Flood days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Babylon the hold of every foul spirit. There is gross injustice being committed with an appetite for ungodly venues that have captured the heart of many rather than the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God.
It was noted that every thinking man realizes that the teachings of the Bible are interwoven with our whole civic and social life; that it would be literally impossible for us to figure what life would be if those teachings were removed? We would lose almost all the standards by which we now judge both public and private morals; all the standards towards which we strive to raise ourselves (Theodore Roosevelt).
Lack of Moral Discipline
Universal Judgment
Apostle Peter wrote: God spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly (pre-Flood days of Noah) (2 Peter 2:5). It was noted that future universal judgment of this world is illustrated by reference to the flood of Noah’s day which came upon the old world (pre-Flood days of Noah). The universal extent of the Flood is an illustration of coming universal judgment at the end of this age.
Peter noted: God turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes
condemning with an overthrow (destruction), making them an example to those that
afterward (today as well) should live ungodly (lack of moral discipline); and
delivered just Lot vexed (oppressed) with the filthy conversation (conduct) of
the wicked; for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing,
vexed (tormented) his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds
(2 Peter 2:6-8).
The deliverance of Lot from Sodom and Gomorrah illustrates the fact that God will deliver His own from the coming universal judgment. Peter wrote: The Lord knows now to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the Day of Judgment to be punished (2 Peter 2:9). Lack of moral discipline, by acceptance of ungodly ways, will bring one into the category described by Peter.
Characteristics Due to
Lack of Moral Discipline
Apostle Peter described some of the characteristics of a lack of moral discipline: Those who walk after the flesh (according to) in the lust of uncleanness (ungodliness), self-willed, speak evil of the things they understand not. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceiving while they feast with you; having forsaken the right way, and are gone astray.
They speak great swelling words of vanity (emptiness); while they promise liberty they are the servants of corruption. Peter noted the fate of such: They shall utterly perish in their own corruption. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; in whom the midst (gloom) of darkness is reserved forever (2 Peter 2:17).
Vacating a Godly
Stance
There are nations, previously of a godly nature, who have vacated the soundness of the past to embrace ungodly venues
who are attempting to exert their influence toward acceptability. The lack of moral discipline; through election or appointment of ungodly officials has helped open Pandora’s box of evils.
In Greek mythology a story is told of a box sent by the gods to Pandora, which she was forbidden to open. She opened the box out of curiosity that loosened a swarm of evils upon mankind: a prolific source of troubles. Mankind has ventured into acceptance; rather than rejection, which does not facilitate a moral society that previously existed.
Permissive Day
It as noted that we are living in a very permissive day when the religious world is so tolerant to most any and all kinds of standards and lifestyles. This permissiveness and tolerance is the result of a self-willed and carnal minded society.
As a result of such tolerance and permissiveness, there are many
churches, and even denominations, which have altered their teachings, their
standards, and even their interpretations of the Scriptures to please, to
comply with and accommodate this permissive and tolerant society. Very few
people this day hold to their heart’s convictions; they change to blend in with their environment.
Voices of Past
Warning
It was noted that our ancestors established their system of government on morality and religious sentiment. Moral habits, they believed, cannot safely be trusted on any other foundation than religious principle, nor any government be secure which is not supported by moral habits. If truth is not diffused (promulgated), error will be; if the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end (Daniel Webster).
Voices of the past have given warning to what is now taking place; seemingly without remorse or conviction to the contrary. Without such commitment it places one to the woes (warnings) prophesied by the Prophet Isaiah: Woe to them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that but bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight (Isaiah 5:20-21). Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him (Isaiah 5:23).
Influence of Christianity
Threatened
There are nations today that are attempting to undo the influence of Christianity; attempting to disallow its spread, but there are some godly individuals who are willing to step forth with the truth, rather than remain silent and passive. One such individual was the the Prophet Jeremiah.
It was noted that Jeremiah was always the bearer of bad news and always being rejected. Jeremiah was continually mocked by the people for bringing nothing but words of condemnation. Jeremiah's words enraged the people. He challenged their social and moral behavior. He held his ground and was not afraid to give them unpopular criticism. There are voices sounding the alarm today; but far too few. There need to be more Jeremiah’s, crying out against the evils of our day, rather than being submissive to the voices that would attempt to suppress godly venues.
Awake to Righteousness
Apostle Paul wrote: They being ignorant of God’s righteousness are going about to establish their own righteousness, having not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God (Romans 10:3). Awake to righteousness and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God; I speak this to your shame (1 Corinthians 15:34).
There is a laxity today toward the things of God; a withdrawing that requires a renewal, a re-commitment, that is noted by the words of Jesus: Remember therefore from whence you are fallen, and repent, and do the first works (Revelation 2:5). It was noted the solution to this condition is threefold: Remember your former devotion; repent of the present lack of love and devotion and do the things that were characteristic of the devotion of earlier days.
Drifting into Worldliness
Noah H. Mack, in a sermon titled “Little Foxes” noted: This writer with much interest and prayer observed the movements and efforts of the church for more than thirty-five years; all this while it has developed a great power to work, but almost as fast as she grows in efficiency for labor she drifts into worldliness in one way or another and all because of fostered pride and love of pleasure.
Many who have witnessed such a decline find themselves as righteous Lot in the midst of troublesome times, as David who was the only one in Israel to take a stand against the giant Goliath; with deliverance by God in both cases. It will take the hand of God to restore; to revitalize those in need today. A call to revival is needed in lands that were once under the leadership of God for His influence to reign again.
Lack of Godly Leadership
Scripture reveals: In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes (sight) (Judges 17:6). We are seeing such evolve today with lack of godly leadership; with nations under heathen rather than godly influence. There is a lack of moral discipline when man does what is right in his own eyes. Scripture reveals: There is a way that seems right to a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12).
The way which seems right may not be the best or righteous way. The ungodliness of man has painted a pretty picture towards acceptance of ungodly ways; being nourished by those of fame and fortune who have the means to publish such throughout the land, to embellish ways and means that would be unprofitable to any who partake in a way that would lead to destruction of soul and spirit.
Anointed to Preach
the Gospel
Scripture reveals that Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up the read and was delivered the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised (oppressed) (Luke 4:17-18).
Jesus closed the book (scroll), and he gave it again to the minister (attendant), and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fasten on him. He said to them, this day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears (hearing) (Luke 4:20-21).
Strait is the Gate
Jesus said: Enter you in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in there at. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, few there be that find it (Matthew 7:13-14). It was noted that enter you in at the strait gate means that one must come through the narrow gate in order to reach the path that leads to eternal life.
Many are on the broad way that leads to destruction (eternal separation from God), as the gate that leads to life is so narrow that few there be that find it. Christ Himself is both the gate and the way and God enables men to find that gate. Apostle Paul wrote: Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name (the Lord Jesus Christ) under heaven whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
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