“Encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13).
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
Friday, May 20, 2005
"Calling Evil Good"
"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter" (Isaiah 5:20).
Several years ago "USA WEEKEND", a magazine supplement to the Sunday newspaper, had an article, "National Forum: What Is Adultery?" Various "authorities" were quoted with their opinions as to what constituted adultery, and if you wanted to, you could give yours through an 800# poll. Sadly this is illustrative that in so many cases words no longer have fixed meanings, but only what we want them to mean.
Among the signs of our culture's moral downfall is the failure to uphold the Creator's standards, which leads to great confusion as to what constitutes evil. We see this in the current muddy position of many in regard to terrorists. Are these evil, wicked, murderous terrorists "martyrs", which traditionally and Biblically is a noble outcome? Or are they "freedom fighters", which again sounds like a good thing? Surely not!
The slide into decadence continues and the notion of determining morality by majority has always failed. I have long had a concern regarding the strategy of the pro-life and traditional marriage position (which I hold) in appealing to opinion polls. Will abortion or alternative arrangements of marriage become "good" when the opinion polls indicate a majority favor it? Surely not!
Consider Biblical history. A majority gathered around the golden calf. A majority sided with the prophets of Baal. A majority who bowed before Nebuchadnezzar's image. And a majority cried out "Crucify Him!" *
What a powerful message in our daily text. Isaiah's "woe" is timeless. "Woe" is a literal transliteration of the Hebrew. In other words it's an expression that sounds the same in Hebrew, English or any language. It's an exclamation of pain and grief. As our culture drifts farther and farther from its Biblical moorings we see the truth of Isaiah's proclamation. Do we also feel his exclamation?
Today let us remain faithful to God. As unpopular, "intolerant", socially insensitive and politically incorrect as it may be, as God's people let us call evil "evil".
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Note from Brooksyne: Upon reading this morning's encouragement the spiritual warning light began to flash as I consider how many moral changes have come about simply by majority ruling. The words of Paul in Colossians 2:8 give us a very wise caution that we should pay close attention to: "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." When we're tempted to repeat the familiar phrase, "That's a good principle to abide by, but I'm an exception to the rule because…." Beware of embracing such a philosophy for that is a deceitful thought from Satan which leads to disobedience and you (along with those around you) will eventually suffer the inevitable consequences.
* Scripture references: Exodus 32, 1 Kings 18, Daniel 3, Matthew 27
Here's a photo that Greg Schneider, a friend of mine took in Acadia National Park in Maine that reminds us of the grandeur of God's creation. It can be saved as a desktop on your computer if you desire.
http://www.dailyencouragement.net/desktop/sunrise.jpg
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: “I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God’s Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life’s goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity.”
© Copyright 2005 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
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