To many people, there is a blurred line between right and wrong.  What is right and wrong is determined by feelings and other subjective standards, making the identification of things right and wrong nearly, if not altogether, impossible.  Many religious beliefs and unauthorized practices occur because churches do what “feels” right instead of what is authorized by the word of God.  Because of this, many simply cannot distinguish between what is religiously right and wrong.

The Bible removes any question about what is right or wrong.  If the Bible condemns something as being morally wrong, then it is wrong regardless of whether people agree with it or not.  When something is done religiously without the consent of the Word of God, it is wrong whether people acknowledge it or not, and souls are put in grave danger.

2 John 9–11 (ESV)
⁹ Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, ¹¹ for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

When something is not done, even though the law of Christ tells us to do it, that is wrong because it constitutes disobedience to God (James 4:17).  So, for those who realize that the Bible is right, the blur between right and wrong is removed.

What is wrong with sexual immorality?  Of all the issues, one might think that there would be no question about sexual immorality being wrong.  However, we live in a society where many believe that sexual relationships, outside of marriage, are normal and very much acceptable.

Sexual immorality, whether it be in the form of sex outside of marriage, adultery, or homosexuality, is glorified in Hollywood and viewed as acceptable in the everyday lives of everyday people.  The Bible, on the other hand, clearly condemns sexual immorality.  Sexual relationships are reserved for marriage.

Hebrews 13:4 (ESV)
⁴ Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

God always condemns sexual immorality as being wrong and how society changes does not matter.  When all the rationalizing is done, sexual immorality of any sort is still wrong, and those who participate in it cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven.

1 Corinthians 6:9–10 (ESV)
⁹ Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

What is wrong with the use of musical instruments in the church?  Many debates have been held over the years on this issue.  While the religious world may be confused about it, the lines of right and wrong are not blurred.  What is wrong with musical instruments in worship service today is that God has not authorized them.  In fact, that is the only thing wrong with them.

Paul said, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (Colossians 3:17).   One cannot use a musical instrument in a worship service in the name of Jesus because He has not authorized them.  What He has authorized is singing.

Ephesians 5:19 (ESV)
¹⁹ Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.

Colossians 3:16 (ESV)
¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Where do we find musical instruments used in worship in the New Testament?  “But they used them in the Old Testament?”  If we lived under the Old Testament law, that would be okay, but we do not.  We are living under the law of Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:21 (ESV)
²¹ To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.

Paul knew what law he was responsible for keeping.  He knew that the old law had been removed, taken out of the way, and nailed to the cross.

Colossians 2:14 (KJV)
¹⁴Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Now, according to God’s word, the old law has become obsolete.

Hebrews 8:13 (ESV)
¹³ In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

Remember, if we do not abide in the doctrine of Christ, we do not have God.  This makes the use of musical instruments wrong.  Is the line blurred?  No!  Is this just a subjective opinion of mine?  No!  Either one can put his finger on the New Testament passage that authorizes the musical instrument, or he cannot.  If he can, they are right.  If he cannot, they are wrong.  Period!

What is wrong with not assembling with the saints?  Some people think going to worship services is a personal choice that does not carry any consequences if one decides not to attend.  “Do we really have to attend all the services of the saints?”  “Aren’t just Sunday morning worship services enough?”  “I don’t know about you, but I feel like the line between right and wrong is a little blurred here?”  No, the line is not blurred at all.  First, we are commanded not to forsake the assembling of the saints (Hebrews 10;25).  Notice, that the Hebrews writer did not say “assembly,” he said, “assembling,” which points to the practice of assembling with the saints.  Second, every reasonable and thinking Christian knows it is the right and good thing to do, that is, to attend all the assemblings of the saints.  And James says to know to do good and not to do it is sin within itself (James 4:17).

There may well be some gray areas in life, but when it comes to what is written in the word of God, the lines are clear.  We either live the way God wants us to live and obey His word, or we live in rebellion against Him.  Which will you choose to do?