29 Oct Moral Slide Ruler (Eph 5:5) by Dr. Rich Reich
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Guest Authors.
“Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person, that is, an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” ~ Eph 5:5 (full readings)
Rich’s Reflections: My research adviser in grad school told me that before calculators, he remembers using slide rulers to perform calculations by hand. Today there is a different kind of slide rule; one of moral values. Many people have let rules, laws, standards, convictions, and commandments slide. For example, Jesus told us to gouge out our eyes if we were tempted to look lustfully (Mt 5:28-29). The Lord made clear that “immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned” (Eph 5:3). “Nor obscenity or silly or suggestive talk” (Eph 5:4). Our society is sliding in regards to these rules and commands from Jesus. Many in our culture thought lust was wrong. Then lust without fornication became acceptable to many. Next, fornication without adultery was acceptable in the sliding scale of values. Then sexual promiscuity with contraception (without pregnancy and abortion) was tolerable. As sexual morality slid even further, even abortion was deemed okay as long as it wasn’t a late-term abortion. Where do our morals slide from here? What’s next? When we let the truth slide, we find out how deep the pits of perversion are. Lord, may I turn to You, the Truth Who never changes. Amen.
* Dr. Rich Reich is the co-founder of the LIFE Group Devotions and the National LIFE Runners Team. He is married to Erica and lives in Satellite Beach, FL. Full bio.
Faith Challenge: Make a stand. Lock in your moral slide rule to the Truth of Jesus.
Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel.
Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
Feast Day: St. Narcissus
Faith Quote: “Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.” ~ Alexis de Tocqueville
Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22
* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!
* Save Unborn (& family): Abortion (images) is #1 death cause (22% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 & Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa.
* Evangelize: Make room for unbelievers & re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Mt 28:19.