There is such a thing as right and wrong

 

 

Since we don’t want to feel guilty…

 

Two wrongs do not make something right

 

Speaking The Truth of God Can Be Unpopular

Throughout history many of the people who have spoken the truth of God forcefully, faithfully and accurately have been very unpopular, for example, Isaiah, John the Baptist and, of course, even Jesus, Himself. All three were executed. That’s what happens when you get REALLY unpopular. There have been many others, of course, these are just a few.

Even in more modern times there have been people who have spoken for God and found it was an unpopular thing to do. The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., comes to mind.

The truth of God is often unpopular because it reminds people there is such a thing as “right” and “wrong” and the realization that we are doing something wrong is uncomfortable. Some people are unwilling to confront the fact they are doing something wrong so they become angry with the truth-teller as a way of denying the truth and coping with their discomfort.

In fact, the realization that we are doing something wrong can even make people feel threatened and fearful. When people feel threatened and fearful they can become quite dangerous to the truth-teller.

Because it can be very unpopular to speak the truth of God those of us who walk with God and take Him seriously will typically be tempted—somewhere along the way—not to speak the truth of God. I know this has been true for me on more than a few occasions.

I am writing this post to remind myself and challenge myself. Perhaps it will be a helpful and necessary reminder and challenge for you, too.

It is always best to be faithful to God. It is always right to be faithful to God. Even when it’s unpopular it is my desire—with His help—to faithfully speak the truth of God.

Right And Wrong And The Unpopularity of Christianity

Part of the reason the Christian faith is unpopular with some people is that one of the fundamental realities of the Christian faith is the idea that there are things which are true and there are things which are false.  This idea of truth and falsehood can be offensive in our culture because we would like to take the position that everyone’s ideas, beliefs and points-of-view are correct.  No one is wrong.  Everyone is right.

I understand the impulse to want to simply agree that everyone is right.  There is a sense in which it feels tolerant.  It feels gracious.  It feels non-judgmental.

The problem, however, is the idea that “everyone is right” is simply not true.  This is not an attempt to be mean-spirited.  It is an attempt to be honest in regard to reality.

In fact, think about the concept I’m trying to communicate here logically.  If you agree with this post, you agree that there is such a thing as true and false.  You agree with the position that everyone’s ideas, beliefs and points-of-view are not correct.  Some things truly are right.  Some things truly are wrong.

On the other hand, ironically enough, if you disagree with this post, you actually confirm the truth of it.  Because if you disagree with this post you are saying, “This post is wrong.”  In doing so you are drawing lines of right and wrong.  You are confirming my statement that some things are right and some things are wrong.

Crazy, huh?  Disagreement with this post confirms the truth of what is being stated in it.

Ideally, the Christian faith would not be rejected simply because its teachings tell us there are things which are right and things which are wrong and this is unpopular in our culture.  Deep down we all realize that right/wrong and true/false exist.

Political Correctness And The Nice, Safe, Tame Jesus

The proponents of political correctness would like to suggest to us that Jesus was always, first and foremost, nice.  But if we honestly examine the accounts of Jesus’ life what we find is a man who is always loving while, at the same time, maintaining an uncompromising commitment to the truth.  Look closely.  The result of being loving and truthful is that all of Jesus’ words and behaviors wouldn’t necessarily be described as “nice.”  Have you noticed?  For those who take Jesus seriously, this is important.

Being nice is a good thing.  I like “nice.”  I’m in favor of people being “nice.”  I want to be perceived as a nice fellow.  (Hey, it happened once, back in the 80’s.  It could happen again.)  But when good confronts evil, when right confronts wrong, when truth confronts deception, it’s possible that standing for what is good, right and true will not be perceived as nice.

Some people don’t want a Jesus who might upset things.  Jesus, however, does not change to conform with people’s desires.  (That’s probably not very nice, huh?)

When we try to make Jesus into someone who was always tame, safe and nice, we make Him into something that does not represent the truth of who He really is.

The Discipline of Intentionally Doing The Hard Things

It is often harder to do what’s right than to do what’s wrong.  (You’ve already made that startling discovery, right?)  This means there will be times in which we will have to be willing to do what is hard if we want to do what is right.

So consider this:  Many people, for obvious reasons, resist and avoid difficult things whenever possible.  This is understandable because hard things are… well… they’re hard.  And that’s not fun.

However, wise people willingly enter into the discipline of doing slightly less challenging hard things on a regular, consistent basis because that allows them to build the capacity to handle the more challenging harder things when they, inevitably, come along.

Some Pastoral Advice For Target In Handling Their Crisis

By now most folks know that Target retailers have had a serious security breach that could affect as many as 45 million customers.

Target is a business and therefore their handling of this situation will involve certain business and economic responsibilities on their part.  That is understandable.

However, the credit card security of millions of their customers is at stake in this situation and that means there are not just business and economic concerns at play in this matter.  There are moral concerns.  In other words, “right” and “wrong” are involved.

I realize this can come across sounding “preachy” and that’s not really my intent.  My intent is to point out that right and wrong still matter, even for a business, in situations like this.  There are reports in the media suggesting that many customers are upset with the ineffective manner in which Target is handling the situation.  There are complaints of trouble contacting the company through its website and call centers.

It is important for Target to do everything possible to assist these customers who have been affected by this crisis.  Even if though it will involve some financial pain.  This is difficult because it could, obviously, be argued that Target has been victimized, as well.  But Target has the most to gain and the most to lose in this matter and so they must be the leader. 

Clearly, this is not pleasant for the retailer, however, difficulties of this nature are an opportunity for a company to demonstrate that they really are unique and special.  It is not an enjoyable opportunity but it is an opportunity, nevertheless, for them to demonstrate that they really care about their relationship with their customers.  (Most businesses will claim that this is a key concern.  Target has an unusual opportunity to show that this is true.)

This could, actually, in the long run be beneficial to Target’s brand perception—if they handle it properly.

If it sounds like I’m against Target in this matter, please know that I’m not.  I hope they come through this crisis effectively and successfully.  But that means they must do the right thing even though it will probably mean some short-term financial difficulty.

Pastor Dan Marler

Oak Lawn, IL

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Real Love Does Not Approve of Everything A Person Does

When you love someone it does not mean that you approve of everything they do. In fact, it is unloving to assure people that they are doing something right when, actually, they are doing something wrong. Doing wrong hurts the person who is doing wrong, even if he/she doesn’t acknowledge it. One of the ways that we attempt to protect those that we love is to humbly speak the truth.

Conscience Is A Good Thing

God created us with a conscience.  This is a very good thing because our conscience signals within our hearts a realization and awareness of right and wrong.    Our conscience can make us feel uncomfortable.  But be glad for that discomfort.  It means that a sensitivity to God and His truth is alive in us.