I was talking to a friend who is considering moving in with her boyfriend about the advisability of said move. They would be moving to a different state for college, and that is when they would move in together. My friend, who I will call Shelley for this (that’s obviously not her real name), presented several reasons: first, security. She had a point here–moving to a big city by yourself when you’re pretty seven -year-old is a really dumb idea; second, finances. Another good idea-they were going to split the rent; but the third was one of the stupidest reasons I have ever heard for anything- namely, it would give them more time together
While I backpedaled furiously, trying to get her to see the morality–or lack to it–in such a move, Shelley told me that I needed to wake up to the real world, and wake up to reality. She said that there was no such thing as morality in a dream world, and to get into the real world and then define my morality.
This made me wonder how many other people think that. How many people think that morality is defined by the world? How many people think that as long as they generally follow God’s rules, they can do what the world wants them to do?
That isn’t right. Christians should put God first, and the world will follow. The world doesn’t come first–God isn’t bound by the world’s definition of “cool”. Yes, maybe humans did come up with the idea for NYC. But who designed the atoms in the metal that makes it’s skyscrapers? You can’t build a city without atoms. Atoms come first, then the city. God, then man.
Morality isn’t legislated by the Supreme Court. Morality isn’t defined by what you want to do. Morality is standing, , in front of God, and telling him why you lived with your boyfriend. Morality is being able to say, I didn’t.
The Rejoicing Heart 
Another great post! Good job! the word sequence: city, God, man, reminded me of my pastor’s mention of Augustine’s “City of God” (which is in omni IV btw, [!!!]) ) My pastor was explaining that Augustine is distinguishing between the City of Man – and the City of God. Here, in the city of man – go ahead, define morality in regards to “reality” – but ultimately, its the City of God that counts: where GOD defines morality, and everyone submits to HIS rules.
Thomas, I love how you comment on everything you like. 🙂 And that is completely unfair that you get to do “City of God”. 😉
“Here, in the city of man – go ahead, define morality in regards to “reality” – but ultimately, its the City of God that counts: where GOD defines morality, and everyone submits to HIS rules.” I’m putting that in my commonplace book! Brilliant.
haha 😀 hey there’s nothing stopping you from reading it… 😛
oooh i’m being quoted! 😀 fun. thanks. 🙂
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (Jam 4:4 ESV)
The “world” is no context at all. To define terms the way they do and then use them can only lead to trouble with God. Only God’s definitions about life matter.