What Is Moralism?
Moralism is when someone lives by a moral code – whether Biblical or Non-Biblical. Most people in the world are Moralists. Moralists determine for themselves what code of ethics they will live by. For instance, you have many people who do not smoke, drink, or cuss. They give to the hungry, they clothed the naked, they are kind to their neighbors and members in their children’s PTA. I learned from my youngest daughter according to Tik Tok, one cannot use the word suicide for those that take their own lives, or you will get cancelled. One must use the PC phrases and words such as accidental death and un-alive[1]. Saying suicide although true is immoral in Tik Tok-ism. On a human level, moralists are great people. So, when they die will they go to heaven or hell? The non-religious moralist does not believe in a fire and brimstone hell. They have convinced themselves that a loving God would never send anyone to hell; no one is so bad that they deserve to be tortured for eternity right? So, the only conclusion for them is they would go to heaven or a better place after death. The non-religious moralist moral code is based on self-reliance.
Most people in the world’s moralism is described above; give or
take a few deeds.
There is also the religious moralist. This person is often a stuck-up
prudish snob and legalist. They also have a strict moral code. The problem with them is that
they believe everyone has to follow their code of ethics or they can
never be truly saved. Women cannot wear pants or make up in Church. If they
wear a skirt, it must be below the knees. They have to make sure their pants
are not too tight; not caring or realizing people have different body types. You must speak in tongues, or you’re not
filled with the Holy Spirit. If you do not tithe, you’re robbing God, and you
will be broke. If you’re not in “divine health” you lack faith and must be in
sin. You cannot go to the movies or listen to secular music for that is
worldly. The religious moralist may or may not be saved. But because they adhere to
their strict moral code of do’s and don’ts, they believe that is what the
Christian life is all about.
You see the problem with both views is they focus on the
externals, and not on the condition of the heart. The first group ignores God
entirely and focuses on their works. Without a change of heart which
can only happen when one is born again, they will never please God. The Bible
says the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the
prayer of the upright is His delight (Proverbs 15:8). God is disgusted with
the deeds of evil people. No matter how benevolent it seems to them, God is
repulsed by them because they come from an impure heart. Their “good” deeds are
the sacrifice of Cain (Genesis 4:5-7).
The second group, the religious moralist, are guilty of
combining genuine faith and tradition. Their theology is a hybrid of faith plus
works. This makes for a Good Catholic, but a bad Christian. Paul rebukes the Galatians
for this behavior. In Galatians one we read, “I marvel that you are turning
away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different
gospel (italics added for emphasis), which is not another; but there are some
(the religious moralist) who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of
Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you
that what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before,
so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you
have received, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:6-9).
Paul also had to rebuke Peter to his face regarding his hypocrisy;
stating that Gentile Christians had to obey the laws of Moses in order to be
saved. In verse sixteen of Galatians 2, Paul told Peter that no man is justified
by the works of the law.
Faith in Christ alone is what justifies us.
The child of God must be moral and holy for the Lord commands
that we are (Lev 11:44; 19:2; 1 Pet 1:16). Morality and holiness is post
salvation. Living a sanctified life is a true mark of a genuine believer. It is
allowing our light to shine so that men may see our good works and that we glorify
our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
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