A People of a Moral Conscience

1 Peter 2:11,12

Fyodor Dostoevsky said that “Man grows used to everything, the scoundrel!” I never knew how true of a statement this was until the recent pandemic and social shift in our culture. One of the dangers to Christian people is growing used to the increased let down in moral absolutes and becoming indifferent to their acceptance, not just in culture, but in the present culture of the church.

This quote is found in Dostoevsky’s Novel Crime and Punishment. The novel is about a man, Raskolnikov, who tries to make a corrupt system right by becoming like it to change it. He is tired of being in poverty and taken advantage of. So he kills a pawn broker and her sister to make things even. After this, his conscience begins to make him feel uncomfortable because he knows that he went against what was morally right to correct a wrong. The theme of the book is about having a moral compass and conscience.

As we draw near to the second coming of Jesus we need a good moral compass and conscience. Like Raskolnikov in his conscience, we should feel more and more uncomfortable in this world. In fact, their should be an increase hatred towards the world system and a more constant crying out, “Even so come Lord Jesus!” Instead of seeking comfort of the coming kingdom, many are trying to maintain their comfort in this world by accepting that the modern immoral trend as just business as usual. Many more have grown in despair thinking that the political system has become so corrupt that there is no use in even getting involved by voting, communicating with your congressman, and so forth. Ultimately we realize that what was at one time the most sound way of government has now become corrupt by “Evil men and seducers waxing worse and worse. (2 Timothy 3:13) The last thing we need to do is grow used to it!

Peter said that we are pilgrims and strangers in this world. (1 Peter 2:11) It is not our home, we are just passing through. But also in the meantime we are to do our best to influence it instead of it influencing us. Jesus said we must “Occupy until he comes!” (Luke 19:13) The word occupy means to “carry on the business.” In other words, the mandate of the gospel is for us to change lives by teaching men, woman, and young people to be disciples. The early church in Acts 17 was accused of “Turning the world upside down.” They had an impact! They made a difference! They did not go with the flow!

G K Chesterton said “A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it.” There are two distinct possibilities. One is to be a dead church and go the way of culture. These are like those in whom Paul said “Even their conscience has become defiled.” (Titus 1:15) The second is to be the living church of God and go against the norm, becoming relevant once again by being the light of the world! The only way this can be done is by being a People of moral conscience who

• Abstain from fleshly lust

• Pursue a godly lifestyle

• Practice good works

And most of all, “holding faith, and a good conscience…” (1 Timothy

Pastor Robby