Introduction 

Throughout this series of blog posts, I have questioned people’s varied standards of right and wrong, instructed readers to not enforce their morality on others, encouraged the “strong in faith” to bear with those who are weak and to pray the work of Holy Spirit upon them.

What is THE correct standard of right and wrong? Whose morality should people be growing into? How should God’s people follow King Jesus and bring others to Kingdom morality?

God’s Creation Was “Very Good”

When the work of creation was stopped on the seventh day, Humanity lived in a pleasant (Eden) country in a garden filled with everything important for heavenly life.

• Resources were provided. 
• No wild animals or people sought to give harm. 
• God gave work for everyone to do for Him.
• Humans felt no shame over flaws.
• People, individually and corporately, had rule over the things of Earth.

Unfortunately, the humans surrendered to the Enemy of the Creator and themselves. People were born in rebellion against the Creator, in self- will under the Enemy. They lost the resources of Eden, the protection from harm, their choice of work. They became subject to shame and the fear of death. Humans still ruled but under the domination of the Enemy.

The strong began to rule over the weak. The Creator gave the nations, the ethnic groups, under the rule of the principalities and powers of the heavenlies.

Yahweh’s Rescue of Israel 

He delivered His chosen people from bondage to the principalities and powers of Egypt. Yahweh destroyed the economic benefits stolen from the labor of the Israelite slaves. He slaughtered the firstborn of the whole land and the military might of the slave owners.

The Creator brought the Israelites into relationship with Him and gave instructions (torah), the Law, on how to live the Eden life in the Eden land promised to their ancestors. He inspired the words of prophets and the wisdom literature to reinforce those instructions. Finally, He sent His promised Messiah to

• teach Kingdom morality
• die to remove guilt, shame, and consequences of rebellion
• overthrow the domination of the principalities and powers
• enable the Gentiles to enter into the Kingdom and household of God.

Do Not Judge

Jesus and Paul taught that individual differences in morality were to be tolerated within God’s reign. Each believer was to decide to eat meat sacrificed to idols – or not, to faithfully follow Jewish customs – or not (Romans 14).

On the other hand, harmful behaviors were not allowed. Paul wrote against stealing from others (Ephesians 4:28), having sex with the wife of one’s father (1 Corinthians 5:1), and forcing Jewish customs on others (Galatians). The apostle urged the return to fellowship those working to change their behaviors (2 Corinthians 2:6-8). 

The wisdom and guidance of Holy Spirit is needed for the acceptance of others despite the “immorality” of their behaviors. Certainly, group leaders need to control harmful behaviors for the protection of the weak and abused. But not for intolerance of simple differences. Rather, the strong should pray the work of Holy Spirit on misbehaving people.

Ultimately, God’s people, His ecclesia, are meant to enforce God’s will on the principalities and powers (Matthew 16:18). We must proclaim and enforce His will in heavens so His will is done on the Earth (Matthew 6:10).