I can’t help but notice that mankind seems to believe that we somehow get to decide what is good and what is evil. We believe that we know what should be tolerated and what should not be. What is sadly obvious about this belief is that for whatever reason, if we are capable to decide what is good and what is evil, we cannot seem to agree. I want what I want to be right and good. I want what I don’t want to be considered evil. Yet this kind of thought is completely subjective.
It fascinates me, that even within our own lifetimes, what we can once categorize almost immediately as being evil or good can shift based on our circumstances changing. For instance, I may think adultery is evil, that is until I am the one leaving my spouse for another. Or, I may believe that homosexuality is wrong until a family member or close friend “comes out.” What happens next is like a great mental shift. My morals and core beliefs about what is good and what is evil change to accommodate for those I love.
Do you see the flaws with this way of thinking? Do you understand why so many people have taken such a strong stance for or against moral issues?
We all believe we know. We all believe we are right. We all believe that somehow, in someway, if we can speak loud enough, or present our “truth” others will accept it and make it true as well.
We play God.
There is no truth apart from the One who is truth. There is no measure for what is evil without comparing it to the One who is holy and good. God, and God alone, dictates what is good and what is evil. He has never given us the authority to do so, because He knows that we will mess it up! God’s morals do not change. God’s truth will not change. If it did, it wouldn’t BE truth, it would be an opinion. God’s truth is absolute.
So is God’s love. His faithfulness. His care for all mankind.
God wants us to live in obedience to His infallible truth. There is blessing that comes from living and abiding there. He knows the hurt, pain, and consequences that come from choosing not to. His desire is for us to walk in a way – no to live in a way – that does not pick and choose which truths we believe and which we prefer to change. He wants obedience.
With that said, God loves people. He loves us, and yet clearly hates our sin. I can only catch a glimpse of how this must feel to God, but for me I picture my own house. When my children are walking in obedience to our house rules, when they are acting in a way that matches what I have taught them about relating to each other, for example, I am pleased. Blessings come in the form of joy in the house, as well as opportunities are created to reward it. When my children are treating each other poorly, or breaking house rules, my rewards are not given, privileges are taken away (consequences), but my love for them remains the same. My rules and expectations will not change to fit the circumstance. To make it ok.
God determines truth. He alone determines good and evil. “The paths of the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.” (Hosea 14:9b)
Well, the bad news is we are all sinners. We all stumble and fall. But thankfully, there is good news – we do not have to remain in our sin. We need only to call on the name of Jesus. Confess our sin – including our pride of trying to fill His shoes. He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved…” (Joel 2:32a)
Thank God we don’t have to determine good and evil. All we need to do is be obedient.
Blessings!