COVENANT MINDED MINISTRIES

Morals and Ethics Defined

Morals are established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.  Virtuous implies moral excellence in character.  Righteous stresses quiltleness or blamelessness and often suggests sanctimonious (holiness before God and the world).  Noble implies moral eminence (famous, prominent, standing out above the rest) and freedom from any petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.

Ethics suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equality (as one's commitment to the highest ethical principles).  Ethics is also the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation (as the principles of conduct governing and individual and/or group).

Morals and ethics are sometimes used interchangeably, in that, ethics can also be defined as a theory or system of moral values, or the conforming to accepted standards of conduct. 

Moral and Ethical Excellence 

Moral and ethical excellence is found only in One, the Christ, the Son of the living God, who was born, not of blood, nor of the will of man, but of God (the Holy Spirit).

It came to pass in those days that Jesus came to Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. (Mark 1:9)

And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. (Mark 1:10)

Then a voice came from heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Mark 1:11)

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (Hebrews 4:14)

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Hebrews 4:15)

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. (John 8:28)

And He who sent Me is with Me.  The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him." (John 8:29)

As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. (John 8:30)

Our Example is Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ, Creator with the Father and the Holy Spirit, who was made flesh, and dwelt among us for 33 1/2 years revealing the Father to us, is the example of moral and ethical excellence.  There is no other for us to pattern our lives after, if we are to strive toward the goal of the high call of God (not sin and fall short of the glory of God).

Jesus Christ established the moral and ethical standards for living, which are the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

Regardless of New Age Movements, New Thought Movements, and all other movements that seek to abolish the established new moral and ethical standards for living, God's standards are still the standards to govern one's life and live by.

Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines.  For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. (Hebrews 13:9)

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)

For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. (John 13:15)

Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. (1st Corinthians 10:6)

Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (1st Corinthians 10:11)

Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
(Philippians 3:17)

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1st Timothy 4:12)

Empty Philosophies and Concepts

Not many wise (philosophers) according to the flesh, not many mighty (influential, political powerful people), not many noble (aristocratic upper class people) believe the gospel and are called into the ministry.

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. (1st Corinthians 1:26)

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:6)

Aristocratic upper class people are those believed to be superior or highly privileged because of their social status (socially exclusive).

Aristocracy is government by the best individuals or by a small privleged class, or a government in which power is vested in a small majority consisting of those believed to be the best qualified, or a governing body of upper classers usually made up of a hereditary nobility.

God's plan of salvation to many of the wise according to the flesh, the mighty, and the noble, does not conform to their priorities, and is therefore classified as foolishness.

This is exactly why eternal salvation is more valuable than all the fame, wealth, and success pursued many philosophers and/or celebrities, the world and all those of the world.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1st Corinthians 1:18)

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. (1st Corinthians 1:21)

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1st Corinthians 1:25)

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1st Corinthians 2:14)

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; (1st Corinthians 3:19)

There is Only One Truth 

There is only one truth, and that is the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Whether one accepts this as fact or not, it remains the fact about truth.

All accomplishments without Christ are futile and their ends are the ways of death; whether you believe it or not, it remains a fact.

But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince. (Daniel 10:21)

Rationalization or Complete Dismissal of Sin

While society tends to rationalize sin and/or not acknowledge sin at all, God judges all sin.  Understand and realize this, sin reveals our rebellious hearts, which all, without exception, deserve God's punishment. 

Unrestricted behavior practices (sins), in particular, by those who believe they only have to answer to themselves, are abominations and provocative to God.

There is a human moral depravity manifested in those who have rejected God and become idolaters, in which, some have been given over to their shameful passions, and thus, receive within themselves the penalty of their error.

Many have implemented their own philosophies and concepts concerning sin and morality that are in direct conflict with God's definition of sin and standards of morality.  Many of which are of the aristocratic upper class and many of which have great popularity with the general public and deceived many into following their lies rather than the truth.

Sin exists and Its End is Death

Sin is any act (verbally and/or physically) that violates God's moral code of conduct.  Colloquially (conversationally) any thought, word, or act considered immoral, shameful, harmful, or alienating might be termed "sinful."

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— (Romans 5:12)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. (1st John 3:4)

Lawlessness is not the absence of the law, but active rebellion against the law.  This habitually sinful conduct is not just an occasional sin, but rather a consistent life-style of sin indicating an absence of fellowship with Christ.

Therefore, those who claim to be Christians, but sin is their way of life, their status as children of God can be legitimately questioned.

Questioning Involves Testing the Spirits

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1st John 4:1)

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves.  Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? --- unless indeed you are disqualified. (2nd Corinthians 13:5)

Do not despise prophecies. (1st Thessalonians 5:20)

Test all things; hold fast what is good. (1st Thessalonians 5:21)

Abstain from every form of evil. (1st Thessalonians 5:21)

There's Only One Remedy for Sin

The only remedy for sin is Jesus Christ.  The failure to acknowledge one's inherited sinful nature and the need for Christ's redemptive service is self-condemnation and an assured hell-bound assignment.

The consequences of not accepting Christ as the remedy for sin is fatal and unpardonable.  Do not be deceived, there is no other remedy.  Only the Jesus Christ of the Holy Bible in the concept that the Bible reveals Him is the remedy that saves and preserves sinners from the wrath of God.

Any other Jesus is nothing but a counterfeit and inadequate substitute that will leave you sinful and defenseless before God, a dreadful condition many will find themselves in at the last day, the Day of judgment.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1st John 1:8)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1st John 1:9)

If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.  (1st John 1:10)

Personal Righteousness

But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)

Our personal righteousness are as filthy rags; therefore our righteousness is inadequate before God.  Only the righteousness of God that credited to believers through faith in Jesus Christ is adequate before God. 

Whoever, therefore, comes before God without Jesus Christ is condemned and without hope, and sentenced to an eternal hell in the lake of fire.

The sentencing to an eternal hell and the lake of fire are not the results of the lack of love God has for them, but rather, the lack of love they have for God.  

While they were still sinners, God demonstrated His love by giving His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who died for them that they might have eternal life, and they refused God's sacrificial gift and now suffer the consequence of their choice.

They have the right to believe and choose as they so desire, and that they're done, and now before the all righteous God, they see how unrighteous they are and what a bad choice they've made.  O what a terrible mistake without any possibility of reversal.

Deception Doing Its Damage 

"In the last days perilous times will come," so says the Bible, "and men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power." 

Many are now performing religious activities that are not connected to a living relationship with Jesus Christ, but rather, ones that only have outward appearances of reverence to God. 

As times go on, we will continue to see a variety of people participating in religious activities that are empty and have nothing to do with a true relationship with God or with individual faith in Jesus Christ.  Such religious activities are idolatry and provoke God's anger.

God's Sovereignity (Supreme Power)

God is Sovereign over all He has created, and His rule-ship extends to all people, even those who do not acknowledge His power.  No one except Jesus, the King of glory has the ability to stand before God. 

And now that He has come and redeemed us as believers with His precious blood, we now have the ability also to stand before God, but only, through Jesus Christ, LORD and Savior.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:5)

who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, (Philippians 2:6)

but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:7)

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8)

Therefore God also has highly exhalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, (Philippians 2:9)

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, (Philippians 2:10)

and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:11)

Those who now refuse to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, will do it in the Day of Judgment to the glory of God the Father.  Now they will know the truth and suffer the consequences of the lies that put them in an everlasting tormenting infernal (hellish, diabolical, extremely troublesome place).

Hell is a real physical place and destination of the ungodly and where there is continouous torments for their unredeemed disobediences.  Do not be deceived into believing hell is just an illusion (erroneous perception of reality).

Therefore Sheol (hell) has enlarged itself  And opened its mouth beyond measure; Their glory and their multitude and their pomp, And he who is jubilant, shall descend into it. (Isaiah 5:14)

Pompous people are those who vainly display their splendor or magnifiance, especially as it relates to their dignity or importance.

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. (Proverbs 26:12)

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3)

Scoffer Defined

A scoffer is one who makes expressions of mockery (ridicule, contempt), derision (object of ridicule, contempt), doubt (a feeling of uncertainty about the truth, reality, or nature of something), or derisive scorn (open or unqualified contemptuous or mocking expressions).

“He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. (Proverbs 9:7)

A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise. (Proverbs 15:12)

Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools. (Proverbs 19:29)

A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride. (Proverbs 21:24)

The devising of foolishness is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men. (Proverbs 24:9)

knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, (2nd Peter 3:3)

Fool Defined

A fool is a silly or stupid person; a person who lacks judgment or sense; a person who is weak-minded or idiotic; a person who has been tricked or deceived into appearing or acting silly or stupid; an ardent enthusiast who cannot resist an opportunity to indulge an enthusiasm; a person who is a professional jester (clown, comedian). 

Fooling around is wasting time or philandering or flirting or being sexually promiscuous, especially engaging in adultery.

Fooling with something or someone is handling or playing with such an object or person idly or carelessly (as to be hurt while fooling with a loaded gun or to fool with someone's affections).

Being nobody's fool means being wise (having the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is true or right; possessing discernment, judgment, or discretion) or shrewd (astute or sharp in practical matters).

The fool has said in his heart,“There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. (Psalm 14:1 & 53:1)

Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David. For I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Indeed I have played the fool and erred exceedingly.” (1st Samuel 26:21)

For wrath kills a foolish man, And envy slays a simple one. (Job 5:2)

O God, You know my foolishness; And my sins are not hidden from You. (Psalm 69:5)

I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. (Psalm 73:22)

Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. (Proverbs 10:14)

A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. (Proverbs 12:23)

Fear No One But God

Two men who resisted truth in Moses' time were Jannes and Jambres, who according to Jewish tradition were Egyptian magicians who oppressed Moses (Exodus 7:11). 

Men of corrupt minds resist the truth because it reveals their shameful thinking and behavior.

Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; (2nd Timothy 3:8)

but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifested to all, as theirs (Jannes and Jambres) also was. (2nd Timothy 3:9)

So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me? (Hebrews 13:6)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2nd Timothy 1:7)

And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. (Luke 12:4)

But I will show you whom you should fear.  Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him. (Luke 12:5)

Sex is Holy and of God

Sex, a holy act instituted of God for marriage between a man and woman for expression feelings that cannot be uttered, but through the act of sexual intercourse fulfillment or completion is consummated (realized and achieved) before God. 

There is absolutely nothing unholy and ugly about sex when performed in the framework created by God.

Satan, however, has taken a holy act and proverted it (turned it from what is right and changed it to being of an unnatural or abnormal kind that's wicked; misguided; distorted). 

His hatred of God has caused him to utilize sexual immorality and the love of money as his primary weapons of destruction in seducing men, women and children to neglect moral or acceptable principle and engage in improper conducts. 

His deliberately enticing and deceitful methods are intended to make mankind other than what God intended, wherin accomplishing his purpose to kill and to steal and to destroy. 

Perverted Sex Acts Defined

fornication (voluntary sexual intercourse between persons not married to each other);

adultery (voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a partner other than the lawful spouse);

homosexuality (sexual desire or behavior directed toward a man or men of one's own sex); 

lesbianism (sexual desire or behavior directed toward a woman or women of one's own sex);

rape (forced vaginal, oral, and anal sex);

prostitution (the act or practice of engaging in illicit or unlawful sex acts for money);

pornography (materials such as book, magazines, tapes, dvds, movies and the like utilized for illusionary connections to effect pretended intimacy with idealized objects of desire without the complications and true intimacy of authentic flesh and blood relationships);

phone sex (a means by which mastrubation is achieved through dirty sex conversations);

mastrubation (erotic stimulation, especially of one's own genital organs commonly resulting in orgasm and achieved by manual or bodily contact exclusive of sexual intercourse, by instrumental manipluation or by sexual fantasies, or by various combinations of these agencies);

Beastuality (human having sexual intercourse or other sexual activities with animals);

the love of money (doing anything one needs to do to get what he or she wants, including, but not limited to stealing, robbery, murder, prostitution, lying, selfish ambitions, and various other forms of uncleaninesses).

Scriptural Guidances on Sexual Immoralities

Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (1st Corinthians 6:18)

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (1st Corinthians 6:19)

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1st Corinthians 6:20)

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; (Ephesians 5:3)

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5)

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

that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, (1st Thessalonians 4:4)

not in passion of lusts, like the Gentiles, who do not know God; (1st Thessalonians 4:5)

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, (Romans 1:24)

who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1:25)

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. (Romans 1:26)

Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.  (Romans 1:27)

Also you shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness as long as she is nin her customary impurity. (Leviticus 18:19)

Moreover you shall not lie carnally with your neighbor's wife, to defile yourself with her. (Leviticus 18:20)

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman.  It is an abomination. (Leviticus 18:22)

Nor shall you mate with any animal, to defile yourself with it.  Nor shall any woman stand before an animal and mate with it.  It is perversion. (Leviticus 18:23)

"You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covert your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbors." (Exodus 20:17)

The Believers' Task of Promoting the Dignity and Respect of Marriage

Believers should have and continuously work toward having a personal passion for sexual purity that surpasses the passion that the world has for sexual experiences. 

All types of sexual involvements outside of marriage dishonor God, one's marriage partner or future spouse, and even one's own body.

Believers are tasked with instituting, maintaining, and promoting marriage and the sex connected with it in the manner God has commanded. 

Those who are disobedient and wish to implement new thought and philosophies to the marriage and sex matter should not be comprimised with, and neither should they be converting us with lies, but rather, we should be converting then with the truth. 

Those who receive the truth, just be thankful; and those who do not receive the truth, just pray and consider it a testimony against them.

And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” (Mark 6:11)

And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” (Luke 9:5)

Cleaning-up What the Devil has Distorted and Desecrated

It is not too late! to clean-up what the devil has violated the sancity of and treated disrespectfully and irreverently, by the twisting out of the true meaning of marriage and sex, and substituting it with falisified data, to fulfill the desires of the flesh, by those who desire to be disobedient and rebellious to God.

More sincere efforts must be placed at the forefront of the family values menu on sex and marriage, and the participation of parents practicing such vital values constitutes a very strong endorsement and example toward turning around what the devil has successfully perverted for so long.

Then if we can get people in the spot lights amongst various circles of influences, in particular, but not limited to radio and television celebrities, politicians and other public officials, clergy of all ranks,

in particular overseers, school teachers and other public servants to exemply moral and ethical excellence as much as they possibly can, we will destroy the works of the devil done in the areas of sex, marriage, and the love of money. 

Whatever is practiced, eventually, that's what will prevail and take up permanent residence in the heart of the practitioner; and out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, whether it be good or evil.

Christianity, being a way of life, is not a conduct or behavior practice that one picks up and puts down when he or she is at work, or at an evening outing, or a public speaking engagement, or a family reunion, or shopping from place to place, or just setting around having conversations. 

It is our responsibility as Christians to glorify God in our bodies and in our spirits wherever we are and in whatever we're doing.  The time, place, situation and/or circumstance bear not factor on when, where, and how we are to conduct ourselves as Christians.

Highly prioritizing moral and ethical values decreases the will for involvement in sexual immoralities and other acts of disobedience.

Making moral and ethical values an important part and requirement in our lives, help mode and shape the mental concepts we adopt and practice.

Certain practices are automatically rejected and disapproved of, and we want absolutely nothing to do with such unacceptable practices, and those who practice those practices.

The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. (Proverbs 12:26)

Adopting, practicing, and maintaining this moral and ethical value concept changes the ethical and moral fiber of our societies.

The primiary will of men, women, and children will be to perform God's will in spite of what everyone else is doing in order to obtain acceptance with the  secular, in particularily, popular world.

Obtaining and maintaining the love for performing the will of God is both a pleasure and joy for the soul, and causes prosperity of the soul.

It is always better to have our priorities in order with God than to have them out of order with Him and suffer the consequences of our disobediences.

Adulterers and adulteresses!  Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  (James 4:4)

Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? (James 4:5)

Preferably, I perfer not to be an enemy of the Lord; how about you?  Those who consider themselves "all this and all that," and "appear to have it going on" is not at all what it looks like, because sin always carries negative consequences.

Mr. Popularities & Ms. Congenialities

Those who consider themselves cool and what's happening by participating in sexual immorality activities and other various acts of disobedience, such as drugs, smoking, pills, and the like, are not cool or what's happening at all.

They are workers of iniquity (gross immorality or injustice; wickedness) setting themselves up for the wrath of God on the children of disobedience.

These are the wrong people to make friends with and to be associated with; and not being around them or not being accepted of them shouldn't pose any problems for you at all.

Making such individuals a part of your circle of influence can create a degree of difficulity in you practicing and maintaining your standard of Christian conduct that witness to the world.

Your decision to disassociate yourself with those who practice disobedience causes God to be pleased and smile, which brings the favor of God upon you.

I would much rather have the favor of God brought upon me than to have anything, including, but not limited to, acceptance and popluarity from anyone practicing disobedience that will ultimately bring the wrath of God upon me. 

Do not be deceived.  "Evil company corrupts good habits." (1st Corinthians 15:33)

Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God.  I speak this to your shame. (1st Corinthians 15:34)

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.  For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?

And what communion has light with darkness?  (2nd Corinthians 6:14)

And what accord has Christ with Belial?  Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? (2nd Corinthians 6:15)

And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For you are the temple of the living God.  As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them.  I will be their God, And they will be My People." (2nd Corinthians 6:16)

Therefore "Come out from among them And be seperated, says the LORD.  Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." (2nd Corinthians 6:17)

"I will be a Father to you. And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty. (2nd Corinthians 6:18)

This separation spoken of here is not an encouragement of isolation from unbelievers, but, a discouragement of compromising with their sinful values and practices and an encouragement for believers to maintain integrity in the world just as Christ did.

Forgive Yourselves and Go Forward

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:12)

Indeed It was for my own peace That I had great bitterness, But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption.  For You have cast all my sins behind Your back. (Isaiah 38:17)

For Sheol cannot thank You, Death cannot praise You, Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your truth. (Isaiah 38:18)

The living, the living man, he shall praise You, As I do this day, The father shall make known Your truth to the children. (Isaiah 38:19)

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1st John 1:7)

He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:19)

Past Moral and Ethical Failures are not An Excuse

Utlizing our morality and ethical failures of the past as excuses for not adopting and implementing acceptable ethical and moral standards for today and now on is a cop out that conveys a negative message for our children and the children taking daily pictures of our lives.  If we're unable to demonstrate positive and successful change, how can we expect our children and others around us to have hope and susceed in what we're previously failed in.  Because we were poor examples of morality and ethical issues in the past is not and must not be acceptable reasons for us not to become and be good and successful examples of moral and ethical issues now and for the future. 

Never quit and never give up striving to be what you know to be right.  Never quit, it will eventually pay off for you and your children.  The success manifested in those who have previously failed strongly influences the hope and efforts others, and encourages those who have not yet failed, to stay focused and not to fail. 

If this concept and practice is implemented, the works of the devil will continuously be destroyed, and God will continuously be glorified in our bodies and in our spirits, wherein, restoring moral and ethical values at a level pleasing and acceptable unto God.  Do not allow the devil to mentally discourage with your past (one of his most useful weapons), which he utilizes to inject negative images and conclusions of oneself to discourage you from seeing and entering any positive changes for yourself.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected, but I press on, that I may lay hold of that which Christ Jesus has also laid hold on me. (Philippians 3:12)

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. (Philippians 3:13)

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)

Therefore, let us, as many as are mature, have this mind, and if anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. (Philippians 3:15)

Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. (Philippians 3:16)