Arbitrary Morality
Society treats morality in an arbitrary fashion. Racism is condemned in the strongest of terms (rightly so) while openly practicing adultery and fornication is considered normal and acceptable. People use vulgarities as a regular way to talk, while the same people will craft a list of the politically correct terminology for the rest of us. People can be brazenly naked and immodest, openly rail against parents, engage in debauchery and drinking parties … but don't you dare mistreat an animal! Ours is a culture in which the egg of an eagle or the home of a spotted owl is more valuable than a child in the womb.
"Arbitrary" means that something is subject to one's own will. The only thing that matters is one's own personal discretion — on a societal level "arbitrary" is still subjective, but takes on more of a mob mentality. The mob decides what is right and wrong and then intimidates and punishes any who differ. The bottom line is that there are no real, substantive standards by which anything is judged other than our own capricious desires.
Jesus provides the solution to these problems. Not only does He provide the standard, He saves us from our sins and cleans up the mess that we made. Now, as much as at any time, we need to be proclaiming the gospel. Truly, the good news is here, and it will free us from the shackles bound upon us by a world that doesn't know the extent of its own blindness.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:10-12)
