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As in the past, the debate to legalize immoral activities will
continue for many years. The debate over legalizing abused drugs
has again come to the forefront of politics, but I am also beginning
to hear some in the media discuss the efficacy of legalizing prostitution.
The problem with these debates is that God and the Bible have been
removed as the standard of morality. And, as the minds of men further
depart from the moral standard of God, there remains no appeal to
a higher authority other than the base instincts of an immoral generation.
The arguments to legalize abused substances and prostitution affirm
that prohibiting an act in society by making it illegal has never
been a solution to controlling crime, and that those who desire
to engage in the act will do so even in creating a black market.
Also, the argument affirms that when an illegal act is legalized,
many of the associated problems and crimes disappear. But, let me
suggest that such arguments are flawed. While it is true that prohibition
has never completely stopped any action in society, this is not
an acceptable excuse to legalize the action. Conversely, if making
a thing legal were the answer to crime we could simply make everything
legal and all crime would be brought under control. For example,
if it is true that legalizing a thing will stop or decrease the
crime, why do we not make it legal to drink alcoholic beverages
at any age? Then, everyone under society's accepted minimum age
to choose to drink or abstain from alcoholic beverages would never
take a drink until reaching the specified age. But, we see that
this and other such examples are absurd. Furthermore, the manner
by which a society communicates its overall approval or disapproval
of behavior, such as the acceptable age to choose between drinking
alcoholic beverages or abstaining from such beverages, is by establishing
laws. This is also true in the case of God governing the Jews under
the Old Law.
Paul says in Romans 7:7; "Is the law sin? Certainly not! On
the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law.
For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said,
"You shall not covet." Also, Paul says in Galatians 3:24:
"Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that
we might be justified by faith." So, we see that God used law
to teach the Jews (therefore all men) sin (lawlessness). And, if
we in society are going to train the members of society in regards
to behavior, we must do it by law. The point is, society either
condones or approves of behavior by the laws that are established
and consequently enforced.
Of course, we know that making a thing legal or illegal will not
of necessity stop crime or immorality unless you consider the circumstances
arising from a country void of all law as a country void of all
crime. For example, the USA has experienced both sides of this issue
with liquor. The prohibition of liquor, nor the legalization of
liquor stopped drunkenness and the associated problems such as driving
while under the influence, killing of innocent people by drunk drivers,
and other violent crimes.
Likewise, the legalization of abused substances, prostitution,
or any other immoral action will not make society better, but make
it worse. The legalization of such immoral acts only initially make
law enforcement easier because fewer people are arrested, tried
and jailed. But, eventually immorality breeds immorality without
improving society.
So, some may ask, if we do not make "minor" immoral acts
legal, what should be done about overcrowded jails and prisons?
Let me reiterate from a previous article that we need to rule society
in the fashion God ruled - with a moral, fair and strict judicial
system that implements capitol punishment. And, ensures that offenders
are severely punished. Yes, this will cost us some extra dollars
in the beginning, but will save many more dollars once criminals
understand that they will severely pay for crime, and that criminal
behavior will not be tolerated in society. Although this will not
eliminate crime, it is the best proven method of controlling crime
and modifying criminal behavior - it is the method used by God while
He ruled the Children of Israel.
Let me humbly suggest that we must call our governing officials
to mirror morals taught in the Bible. After all, is this not the
function of a government? Paul says in Romans 13:4: "For he
is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid;
for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister,
an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil." So,
since we have been blessed to live in a self-ruling society (a government
for and by the people), do we not individually have a responsibility
to do our part in governing and standing for the moral principles
of God? And, if we are to stand for God, should we not be committed
to do everything possible to promote a government that "does
not bear the sword in vain ... an avenger to execute wrath on him
who practices evil?" Or, will we be the unprofitable servant
- one who has been blessed by God and given opportunity to do good,
but simply hides his blessing in the ground?
Let me further suggest that the means used to involve ourselves
with government must be in a Christ-like manner which necessitates
submission to the government that rules our society. Paul says in
Romans 13:1: "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.
For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that
exist are appointed by God."
So, let us be thankful to the Lord that we live in the greatest
country in the world wherein governing officials are elected from
and by the citizenry. And, let us hasten to work for the Lord by
promoting morality in a society governed for and by the people.
Finally, let us call our governing representatives to Biblical morality
wherein God has set the standard for acceptable behavior which,
in many ways, has been set aside and replaced with the seared conscience
of man.
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