SURE IT’S LEGAL, BUT IS IT RIGHT?     by Carl McMurray

Sitting through a discussion in a Bible class it’s not hard to come to agreement on what types of behaviors are proper for a Christian. Where the rubber meets the road however is when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances. It becomes easy to rationalize our behavior rather than keep our stand on scripture and reason. One of the most common rationales that I’ve heard is, “Well, it’s legal!” This is used to cover a whole gamut of misbehavior. Consider a couple of examples. 

“... a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. 3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive...” Romans 7:2-3 seems pretty clear as long as our spouse treats us right and everything proceeds smoothly. But, then one hears about that situation where, “I just can’t take it!” He’s mean, she’s cold, he’s selfish, she’s a nag... and on and on it goes. Friends advise “divorce!” Our self-respect says, “divorce!” After all, we’re being “abused,” right? And then the topper, “It’s legal, isn’t it?” But, is it right? 

Romans 12:17 reads, “...give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.” Romans 13:8  reads, “Owe no one anything, except to love each other.” Matthew 7:12 has always provided childlike guidance to treating others as we would like to be treated. Sounds good doesn’t it? That is, until our debts mount up.  The idea of
“biting the bullet” and honorably paying what we owe and treating others (paying them back) as we would like to be treated begins to lose it’s power in face of our culture’s preaching of “victimization.” Filing bankruptcy  is so easy, so common, so accepted today, after all. And, “It’s legal!” Don’t forget that. But is it right? 

Recreational drinking is legal, is it right? Fornication is legal, is it right? Abortion is legal, is it right? Brethren, we must live in this world, but we are not of this world. Everything that is legal is not necessarily right. Romans 12:2 encourages us not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed. Rather than aiming for what is easier and often “legal,” let us aim for doing what is right.