The Challenge Of Knowing What Is Right And What Is Wrong

“ …. There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.......” — Proverbs 16:25

Last night, as I was settling my mind for a night’s rest, the dispelled thoughts of the day gave way to what I would call, spiritual impressions. Words and phrases that were the seeds for my next devotion. (it happens quite often) And so, I sat down at my computer with my trusty cup of coffee to write about the error of judging others this morning, but as my fingers moved across the keys – something else came out. Related to judging, but something more basic …. the reason why the opportunity for judgement raises its head. So perhaps tomorrow.

I am certain that you are familiar with that scripture reference in Proverbs. The idea of judgement in a court of law is that the accused is declared guilty or not guilty by a judge and if guilty there is a penalty for whatever the accused has done. A fine, imprisonment, or some other negative action. What is the person judged against? Written laws of the land. A standard of behavior by which people are measured. They either comply with the standard (not guilty) or violate the standard (guilty). The purpose of laws is to maintain social order. It is like driving on a freeway.  In the United States, cars drive to their right.  The steering wheels are on the left side of the vehicles. Painted lines divide the roadway for vehicles traveling in the same direction and the opposite direction. In order to avoid or, at least, minimize accidents, the drivers must comply with the “rules of the road”. It works well for the most part. But, almost every week, I read about someone driving, in Houston, on the wrong side of the freeway and crashing head-on into a vehicle driving on the right side of the road – obeying the rules. I have been driving for 55 years and regularly find myself driving at 70 miles per hour next to someone who may have only been driving for a week – amazing that it works as well as it does.

So .. what does that have to do with judging. There are generally two sets of laws – man’s laws and God’s laws. Both intended to bring order. Both having consequences when they are violated. It is possible for there to be conflict between the two.  Conflict between what man declares to be good and right and what God declares to be good and right.  As Christians, we are bound to acknowledge God’s laws first and man’s second. For those who are not born again – they defer to man’s laws.  If the laws don’t agree with social consensus on what is good then the laws can be, and often are, changed to match the social consensus.  The use of marijuana is an example. In the past, people have gone to jail for using or distributing the drug. Millions if not billions of dollars have been spent to prevent the distribution of marijuana in this country. But the laws have changed in many states – legalizing the use. So what changed – marijuana didn’t – social consensus did.  What is wrong today can be right tomorrow.  Not so with God’s laws which were laid down at the foundation of creation.  God’s laws govern the physical – like gravity – and the social – how people are to relate to each other. God’s law – His Word is immutable – it does not changed at the whim of man. In fact we count on the physical laws, like gravity, to not change. The challenge for  Christians is what to do when there is a conflict between the two – man’s laws and God’s laws.

Using the roadway as an example – there are posted speed limits on all the major highways – for our purposes, let’s say those limits are set by God. But, social consensus says that a speed limit is not really a limit – in fact it is acceptable to drive 5 or 10 miles over the speed limit and you will not be guilty of breaking the law. So you can violate the law a little bit with no consequence. And if traffic is flowing at say 20 miles per hour over the speed limit – you can become a hazard if you don’t do the same – social consensus.  And just when you set your cruise control to the “new” speed limit – several vehicles zoom around you. When enough people agree that something is right – even when the written laws says it is not – the law becomes impotent – not fulfilling its purpose.  Choosing our own way and disregarding God is not new – it started in the Garden and continues to this day – and will continue until the Lord returns.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things….who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them  ” – Romans 1:18-23,32

That is the world we live in. That is the tension that exists and what we must try to reconcile – not only in our hearts, but in our actions.  Dr. Francis Schaeffer wrote several books, but two that stand out in my mind are “How Should We Then Live” and “A Christian Manifesto”.  He addresses this tension in those books, not light reading, but what he wrote about over 30 years ago rings true today. 

“That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 1:9 , written between 450-200 B.C.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone