Twice we are told in the book of Judges that, âIn those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.â Two verses in the book of Proverbs strike a similar note: âThe way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.â â Proverbs 12:15 âEvery way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.ââ Proverbs 21:2 It is the tendency of mankind to determine right and wrong apart from divine revelation. We see this clearly in American public schools where teachers and students are being forced by political and judicial tyrants to function as if the God of the Bible and the Bible are equally irrelevant to real life. But, what more should we expect from politicians and judges who esteem man-centered psychology and humanistic philosophy as the fountains of truth? The moral underpinning of modern American society is hedonism. If it feels good, do it; it canât be that bad. Eat, drink, and be merry. And pray to the gods that be that your favorite college football team wins on Saturday afternoon for one loss will ruin the entire year. You have no right to judge others because right and wrong are relative, our society says. Sodomites are gay. Whores are stars. Infanticide is family planning. And, if the truth be known, to tell a lie is oftentimes nobler than to speak truth. If such mindless claptrap were limited to public schools, legislatures, courtrooms, and seedy neighborhoods, that would be cause for concern. But, alas, we look into those unique societies called local churches and we see much the same ambivalence to divine revelation concerning right and wrong. We see that in many churches humanistic universalism is the guiding principle of faith. God exists for the good of man, and all men, good or not, will ultimately be saved from the hell that is this life to be delivered into an ethereal bliss where fleshly appetites may be satiated for eternity. In other churches a pharisaical traditonalism reigns as the chief standard of right and wrong. The authority of Scripture little influences the rigid practices of a people unfamiliar with grace and who are bound by the intimidating personality of a protestant pope. The right or wrong issue in some churches is determined by nothing more than sheer sentimental emotionalism. This âGod-told-meâ congregation is not finding its âGod-toldmeâ from Scripture, but from a âweâ ve-al ways- done- it-th isway -and- it-mu st-be -righ tâ attitude. Have we not each seen those congregations where a twisted hermeneutic justifies unbridled covetousness and great gain is emphasized above true godliness? Have we not each witnessed the impatience and powerlessness before God that causes man to invent schemes of worship futilely attempting to please God and to save man? On almost every hand do we not see congregations where effeminate Christianity mimics Hollywood and so called saints adorn themselves with worldliness, where longing for Heaven is but a faint dream and living like hell is a reality? It is a tendency of mankind to reject divinely revealed right and wrong when divine revelation conflicts with personal ambitions, when it crimps personal finances, or when it contradicts personal lifestyles. In the time of the judges âevery man did that which was right in his own eyes.â Godâs Word held no place of priority in determining right and wrong. As ministers of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must take a stand. There is a right and there is a wrong. Moral relativism is not a tenant of Scriptures. We desperately need the grace of God in this hour that we might be careful always to rest our case for determining right and wrong solely on the authority of His Word. With this in mind, may I leave with you four thoughts. 1. God is in absolute control of all things. His authority extends over everything material, everything spiritual, everything emotional, and everything imaginable. His control reaches over the thoughts of man, the will of man, and the ways of man. 2. Unconditional election, notwithstanding, God is not mocking man when He appeals to him to repent and believe in Jesus Christ for eternal salvation. God does not as the little boy who plays with a bug until he is tired of it and then squashes it. His dealings with mankind are imminently fair and clear. His invitations are genuine. 3. God is not afraid of man. Therefore, He is not timid in revealing His Word lest some man be offended. 5. Godâs Kingdom is not a democracy. Subjects of that kingdom do not get to vote on what is right and what is wrong. Ί R
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