Our society today basically expects that you show tolerance for everything. Even if you know that whatever it is could bring harm to the people around you. If you don’t, you’re usually labeled narrow minded or judgmental. I’m not talking about loving people. The Lord says we are to do that no matter what. I’m talking about actions, decisions and absolute chaos that go in the opposite direction of what God says is good for us. Then there’s ideas trying to redefine what “good” is. They may not say it in those words, but their actions and decision making reflect just that. Just to be clear, people are not and never will be our enemies. It’s the wrong spirits working through people that we, the human race, are dealing with. None of us are perfect. Not a single one of us has life all figured out. So why would we look to other flawed human beings for moral guidance? God’s Word is always the standard for truth. Some may disagree and that’s exactly what I’m talking about. Everyone has their opinion of what truth is. But we have a Creator. He is almighty God and He gets to define what good, true morality is. And whatever He says is good, that’s what we should desire for our well being. To go the opposite direction is to take a turn towards heartache and certain destruction. 

The Bible teaches that God is love. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love (‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ NLT). God doesn’t just love, He’s the very definition of the word. So let’s look at what love does. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4-7‬ NLT). This is such a marvelous description of who God is! And this loving God wants what’s best for you. He is the ultimate loving parent. He puts rules and regulations in place not to stifle us but to protect us. If we decide to step out of His boundaries and do things the world’s way, there will be trouble. It’s unavoidable. He has set it up that way so we can know for certain that there’s a right and a wrong. We can only truly live in freedom when we submit to His ways. They are safe and protective. This brings peace and security. 

It’s also imperative that we put good things in our minds. What we dwell on starts to steer the bus. Garbage in. Garbage out. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise (‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ NLT). The Bible goes on to tell us that if we put these things into practice, we’ll experience God’s peace. We cannot expect to dwell on negativity all day and have happy content lives. It doesn’t work that way. The very One who made you says, Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit (‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭7-8‬ NLT). I want what God wants for me. It is always the best. We absolutely cannot outdo Him. It just won’t happen! I can totally give someone “a piece of my mind” if they upset me. I’m certainly able to do that. But is it best? Could it possibly sever a relationship and discredit my integrity? Sure. Am I possibly closing a door that God opened for a reason? Or, I could choose to show that person grace like God has shown me and build a relationship for life and possibly have the opportunity to introduce them to the One their hearts long for. Ah, the choices we make today determine our tomorrows. 

You see, we live by a moral standard. We all do. But who’s standard you live by makes all the difference. We can choose a life of heartache and pain by participating in deceptions that the world places before us or we can live a life of peace by choosing God’s standards. He will not make you choose His way. But the rules of the game are already written and He will not back away from His Word. We can count on it to always be true. Love is a choice. Obedience to Love is a choice. God has already made His mind up about you. He is faithful when we’re not. He can be counted on when we can’t. That’s why He’s not just some set of morals that sway in the wind. He can’t be tossed to and fro. He is The Moral Code.

Today’s guest writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband Robby and cat Harold.