There is a great chasm between the moral standard of Christ and the morality that is practiced by the world.  Just like local churches of Christ are in the minority among religious bodies, individual Christians are in the minority among people.  We must fight the urge to be like everyone else, and not be ashamed of being different.

When it comes to morality, we cannot allow the world to determine what is right or wrong, persuading us to do what everyone else is doing.

Exodus 23:2 (KJV)
²  Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil…

The most common example of the immorality of the world is the practice of fornication.  This is nothing new.  Avoiding it was one of Paul’s primary concerns when he wrote to the Gentiles.

1 Corinthians 6:18 (ESV)
¹⁸  Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 (ESV)
³  For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;

The world has not changed.  Fornication is still being committed by many, maybe even most, people in the world today.  It comes in many different forms.  There is premarital sex, extra-marital affairs, then, of course, the unnatural act of homosexuality.  These forms of fornication are widely viewed as normal, even healthy, behaviors.  Hollywood has helped turn these acts of immorality into casual conduct among almost all age groups.

Because of the way society looks at sexual immorality, it is very unpopular to speak out against it in any of its forms, but most of all homosexuality.  One can even get fired from his or her job for saying something negative against the gay lifestyle, even if it is said out of a sincere concern for the souls of those who practice it.

No matter how immoral the world gets, we still must not be ashamed of the moral standard of Christ.  We must not shy away from calling sin what it is, even if some are offended by it.  Yes, we must always be sensitive to the feelings of others, speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), but we must speak the truth.

The truth is sexual relations outside of marriage are offensive to God, and He will judge those who practice it (Hebrews 13:4).  Regarding homosexuality, it is despised by God.  He calls it a grievous or grave sin (Genesis 18:20).  If God views every form of fornication as sin, so should we, and we should not be ashamed to call it such.

To the young people reading this blog, never be ashamed of living a life of chastity before God, regardless of how your peers are living.  Virginity before marriage is honorable to God and pleasing Him is far more important than being popular with others.  Remember, if you live a life of purity now, you will receive a robe and a crown later.  It is a choice between temporary pleasure and eternal glory.  I hope we will all have enough courage to choose heaven.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.