Compasses, you know, those magnetized instruments that shows us where north and other directions are can be an interesting way to understanding our Christian walk. Besides being tools to navigate terrain they are often used to figuratively describe the navigation of philosophical things. To name a couple of examples: moral compass and life compass (as in using the image of a compass as an idiom for expressing your direction in life; forward, backward, down, up, etc). When we think of a compass as being an instrument by which we figure out what our morality looks like and what choices to make day to day, especially in those times of navigating “uncharted territory”, is our compass biblically grounded?
The Bible has much to say about morality — 1 Corinthians 15:33, 2 Peter 1:5-8, and Matthew 7:12 just for a few examples. But if living out that morality in our daily lives is motivated by ‘our’ moral compass then we are no better than the Pharisees and Sadducees…
“For I say to you that unless your righteousness is more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20)
What Jesus is saying here if your moral essence is rooted in legalism and works; if you think you can earn favor or receive more favor from God through practicing traditions, rituals, wearing symbols, and just doing the right things to be a “good” Christian then you are no better than the Pharisees and Sadducees. There is a heart check that needs to happen. Do you think you are loving God well by doing all the right things? Or do you think God would prefer for you to grow in grace and truth, conforming your heart more to Christ? Is your righteousness marked by being a “good” Christian? Or is your righteousness marked by Christ alone? Do you seek appreciation and praise for your efforts or your morality? Or is Christ alone your satisfaction?
The Christian who is genuinely submitted to Christ and growing in conformity to Him will have the right “compass” and it will be evident by their fruit — not (necessarily) in the good things they do but by the qualities of Christ that is displayed, especially in adversity. In Matthew chapters 15 and 23, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees for being puffed up by their morality, calling it leaven (of bread) that ought to be avoided because it taints the entire batch. They were burdening people with insisting on keeping traditions, rituals, and symbols that do nothing to conform them to Christ. Their moral compass has little to nothing to do with Jesus Christ who is the true north star to the kingdom of heaven. Christians who have Jesus as their moral compass, if you will, are going to naturally keep his commands out of gratitude for the salvation that has not been earned or kept by their own efforts and merits (see John 14:15 check out a great commentary about this here). If Jesus is the Lord and compass of your life, uncharted territories will be navigated well not without fear and trepidation but despite the existence of it.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
- How do you personally know if Jesus is the compass of your life?
- Having studied John 14:15, why do you think Jesus confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees about their morality with strong criticism and correction?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You that Christ died for my sins, and rose again to give me His new, resurrected life so that in the power of the Spirit, I may love as He loved. Thank you that I am not under the Law of old but under your covenant of Grace so that both law and grace exists cohesively. Thank you for Jesus Christ who says that his yoke is easy and his burden light. I cannot love as Christ loves in my own fleshly strength, but only as I submit to Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit who grows me in spirit and in truth as I seek your kingdom first and foremost throughout my days. May the love of Christ flow through me to others so that Christ is glorified. In Jesus’s Holy name, amen.