Leviticus 18 A HIGHER STANDARD In Egypt where the children of Israel served the gods of the Egyptians, idol worship included immoral activity and worship of beasts and the base instincts of man's fallen nature. In the land of Canaan the superstitions of men went even farther and they offered new-born babies to Molech, the god of the Ammonites, by putting them into the fire that burned inside the brass idol. One tradition says that drums and loud music accompanied this human sacrifice so that people wouldn't hear the cries of the babies. Unspeakable evil accompanies the actions of people today as well when they remove the moral standards of the Word of God and replace them with the cheap, baseless legislation of man's opinion. What a person practices in his or her lifestyle follows what they believe about God. One said, "A person's morality is the fruit of his theology."
The people of God then, and now, are called to a different standard of morality; one that is higher than the lustful opinions of men who seek pleasure in whatever way they can, and wherever they can find it. How are we to know what is moral and what is immoral? The standards that govern God's people come from God Himself to us through His Word. God is the standard. He is the epitome of holiness, righteousness, purity and character that gives joy, lasting happiness and meaning to our lives. It is not left up to us to decide what is moral or immoral. God made those decisions based on who He is. The original laws of this country came from what is known as "English common law." English common law was based on biblical standards and stood the test of centuries. But now we have courts appointed by men who want to make and change our laws to suit what appeals to the base instincts of our fallen nature.
The laws of sexual purity that were held for centuries have been changed as far as the world's systems, but not for the people of God. Mankind make changes to suit his circumstances, opinions and the opinions of others. God does not change. In man's opinion, "the majority rules," but for the people of God, He has the final say. There are consequently charges made that Christians are dogmatic and not willing to adapt to the changing time. That indicates that we are often going to be alone in our decision making because in the opinion of the majority, being dogmatic is wrong. It is not wrong to be dogmatic when our opinions and practices are based on a source morally higher than our own. It is not always comfortable to do what One with more authority than we have says is right. I obey laws because of God-given authority to the "powers that be." But when they abuse the authority given to them and impose their opinions by turning them into laws, then I am obligated to "obey God rather than men." That is not being dogmatic in a wrong way. It is really the opposite way around. To impose man-made opinions as laws, is being wrongfully dogmatic.
Human interaction without boundaries can become first shameful and then harmful. Such interaction in order to be a blessing to all involved should show tenderness and consideration of all parties. The Holy Spirit does not place restrictions where there is no danger. One said it well, "The Holy Spirit does not put a dam where there is no danger of a flood." Sexual intercourse with close relatives was forbidden for a number of reasons. One is the effect it can have emotionally on others who share the same family ties. Another is the physical problems that can be multiplied when the gene pool is close. Historically this has been seen when medical research has revealed the rate of weakness (or strength) can be greatly increased among those who are close relations. Because of the principle of deterioration, usually it is the weakness that shows up. Mental and physical weakness often come as a result of close relatives in a sexual union.
There are these realities, not just ideas of which we need to be made aware, and God has done this in His Word. Adultery was forbidden not just for social reasons so that the seed be not adulterated, but so that social disease (sexually transmitted diseases) does not pass from one to another. Even today people are trying to stop this spread of disease by medication and other means. Some say that people have to be educated as to how to practice "safe sex." God made that very plain to us a long time ago. Homosexuality and bestiality were forbidden a long time ago also, and God hasn't changed His laws. The spread of disease by forbidden sexual activity has been well-documented. God anticipated the complications that follow a certain lifestyle and forbade it then. He still does.
Unfortunately, because of man's fallen nature, humans are capable of unspeakable evil, that is not even seen in the animal kingdom, when there are no moral standards of conduct. Those who know and love God are called to a higher standard of conduct than those who refuse to believe on Him. God Himself established the standard because He is the standard. We say we can never attain to that righteousness. It is too high for us. By receiving Christ as our own Savior from our sins, we have been given His righteousness. Our motivation to "be holy" is now based on our love and appreciation for Him, not our self motivation to keep perfect laws. Appreciation of God's grace and love to us constrains us to rise above the changing standards of men. Our Christian liberty which we have from God sets us free from sin's bondage to walk in God's ways. That is the reason we live in peace and experience the joy of the Lord in our lives.