Living in an ungodly world?

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1:1–6)

This passage uses the term ‘wicked’ but some think it should be ‘ungodly’ as that fits the idea of those who are lost, not just those who do extremely immoral deeds. This is the OT definition of ungodly:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

Those who turn to their own way could be morally evil and what we might call wicked, yet they could be ordinary folks who appear to be ‘nice’ people but are not even interested in God, the Bible, or in the way the Lord wants us to live.

A close relative belongs to a religious group that goes door to door with their version of the gospel. He tells me that he talks to many people who are unaware of the Bible or know anything about it. The above psalm describes these as people who will not stand when judged by God or be acceptable in the congregation of God's redeemed people.

No one aces this test. Everyone experiences self-rule at times, but those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ are not only aware of this way of life, we spend most of our walk in faith trying to overcome it. For some, that old self is totally disgusting. For others, pride, false teaching, desires for prosperity and a life of comfort lure them into a false representation of godliness. 

But God knows the way of the righteous, as well as the hearts of those who think they are ‘good enough’ to stand before Him, or who don’t really care what God thinks, or even if there is a God who cares.

We wonder about the state of the world and the daily stories on the news. They remind me of an often repeated OT verse: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6) Is it also true now that  even with the leaders we have in political and religious realms, most people do what seems right in their own eyes? Knowing the selfishness of my old nature compared to the godliness God desires, this is surely a sad state of affairs. 

Lord, has the time come where You will allow the world to learn the hard way that You are to be feared? We see odd and even terrifying human behavior, but also strange weather patterns and worrisome trends in nearly every realm of life, as if grace and mercy have faded and the judgment of consequences rules. I know that You know what You are doing, yet it is not putting joy in my heart to watch this happen. 

 

When human thinking ceases …

 

Two stories about abortion illustrate how human thinking apart from what God says is rather confusing. It is okay to abort in parts of the world, but in several parts of the world if someone murders a pregnant woman, it is considered two murders. So it is legal to kill an unborn baby as long as it is not illegal. Huh?

The legality depends on the will of the mother. If she does not want the baby, she can have it destroyed. We watched an episode of Inspector Linley last night in which the unwanted baby was allowed to live but was sold to someone who wanted it. Later, the mother of that child arranged another baby to be sold so she could profit, but that mother wanted the child so she murdered the first woman. Huh?

Human ‘I wants’ make life messy. In the OT, this phrase is often seen: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6) In our world, the prophets could say, “In these days there is not much faith or obedience to God. Everyone does whatever they want to do.” Huh?

“Not much faith” grants that the God who created us is still at work. There still is some faith, but daily news does not broadcast how thousands put their faith in Jesus Christ as they repent of their sin and are forgiven and have new life and a life-changing relationship with Him. Those who meet Jesus are changed but their family members are upset and try to kill them. Thousands flee for their lives and many others die for their faith. Huh?

God is still at work even as His work seldom hits headlines, and if it does, humans may get the credit, or mock it, or misinterpret it. Today’s verse for the day comes from a passage that describes the kind of God that is being neglected and rejected:

Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take with you words and return to the Lord; say to him, “Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips. Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.” I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon; his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon. They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit. Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them. (Hosea 14:1–9)

Reading it slowly, it is a surprise. The people of God had not only sinned but were guilty of apostasy, yet God says, “I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.” Huh?

This is the God who longs to restore those who turned away. He welcomes those willing to  confess their guilt and how they had taken credit for what God had done, but vow to not sin like that any longer. 

For those who have not slid away and remain as His faithful servants, this is a passage of hope. God does not change. He can heal the mess in our world, open blind eyes and turn away His anger. My role? Listen and be faithful to what He says. Tell others. Challenge darkness with prayers of full faith. My Redeemer is not dead — He lives and He is still able and willing to change lives.

PRAY: Jesus, just as You called Israel out of bondage in Egypt, and You called Your faithless people to come to You for healing, my prayers are for those near and far — that You will call and continue to call people from darkness and extreme, God-playing thinking to repentance and faith in You… for that will produce in them blessings that they will never otherwise realize or understand apart from Your great grace.

Behavior — only the tip of the iceberg

A speaker reminded me yesterday that actions come from a person’s value system, and value systems come from what is believed. For centuries, people believed that truth came from God and even if they didn’t want to believe, at least His ways were acknowledged as true. However, in today’s world, much of society has decided that God is dead. Without Him, there are no objective principles and truth is a matter for everyone to decide for themselves. The outcome is an increasing decline in such things as morality and the value of human life.

This is not new. For instance, this decline happened in Israel from 1375-1050 BC. The people kept turning from faith in God to trusting idols. Even though some of their kings did their best, for the most part: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6) and mayhem ruled.

This is the importance of faith in Jesus Christ. Only He can change us from people who trust me, myself, and I to people who can selflessly love God and love their neighbors.

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:1–5)

Believing in Jesus Christ produces love for God and obedience to Him. His commands make life easier and in fact help us to overcome the power of the world. The world offers no freedom from guilt, no selflessness, no ability to be godly, and no hope for eternity. While ‘eat, drink and be merry’ is the mantra for many, the ‘tomorrow we die’ part is still a reality. The world says ‘when you are dead, you are dead’ but that is not what God says. His truth says that there are no dead Christians. Those who reject Him are cast away from His presence to suffer eternal torment — a horrible death indeed. How values and then behavior would change if everyone believed this truth!

“If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:9–13)

The truth from God is being able to say yes to the question Jesus asked: “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (John 9:35) which produces a value system that hates sin, loves God, loves His creation, loves people, and knows where you will live forever and ever. Of course, that changes everything else!

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus Christ, Lord of all, You have shown me that I am a sinner, helpless and undone. You have made it clear that all I can do is commit my soul and all my hope of salvation and eternal life to You. Only You have the power and the authority to be merciful and grant eternal life. Without You, I have nothing. With You, I am forgiven, made new, and have the certainty of living with You forever. Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift!

Staying on God’s side of the line

When Islamist militants arrived August 7, Christians who lived in the ancient Christian town of Qaraqosh had just minutes to flee. It happened just before midnight. Panicked people ran through the streets to escape fighters disguised as medics who were shooting people from ambulances. Cars and trucks jammed the road. There was no time to pack food or water. (Source)

They fled to Erbil, the largest city in the Kurdish-controlled area of Iraq. The trip took nine hours instead of the normal one. When they reached Erbil, they had only their lives and the clothes on their back.

Since then, the plight of these people often comes to mind. When I read this verse, I also thought of those who are determined to kill these refugees: “My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.” (Psalm 119:136)

While the rest of us wonder what motivates such violence, most realize this is not God’s idea. It is more like the description of those ancient times when “there was no king in Israel and everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6)

For me, this points to another spiritual danger: allowing myself to become confused about right and wrong. I could condemn the militants called ISIS, but what about my own times of going my own way instead of obeying God? While the degree of rebellion might excuse my indiscretions as being minor in comparison, God does not draw a line somewhere along a ‘rebellion curve’ in deciding evil. For Him there is simply a line between God’s way and my way.

There is no gradual curve to measure sin. I’m either trusting God or myself, obeying God or following the dictates of my sinful heart. He says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5–7)

Danger lies ahead when I begin thinking that I am right. Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”

When something seems logical, it can also be dangerous. The notion of “I’m right” is far more subtle than can easily be labeled ‘foolish’ or ‘wise.’ My good ideas can seem just that, good ideas. Yet if I don’t consult God, they could fall into another category. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12) If the end is not deadly, it can certainly be dangerous.

I’m so thankful for the restraining hand of God in my life. What would it be like to be one of those who is pursue and murdering Christians? What would it be like to be so bent on persecuting others that I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong?

I don’t know who wrote Psalm 119 but it is a blessing to read its wisdom coming from one who realized that God’s principles and guidance are good and right. He did not trust himself or his own understanding. The pressures of life threatened, but he held fast . . .

Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true. Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live. (Psalm 119:142–144)

When I grow up, I want to be just like that psalmist.

Education and rules do not protect me

In September and October, my devotional guide looks at the need to be alert to spiritual danger. The human idea of how to protect ourselves is through adequate knowledge (education) and having laws and rules to guide us. However, the most educated countries in the world and those with the most sophisticated legal systems are no better off regard crime and human misery than uneducated pagans with the primitive laws.

While many people make an idol out of education, British politician Lloyd George observed, “Education without God makes clever devils.” While many insist that better laws will fix the problems of crime and rebellion in society, but Bill Gothard, founder of Basic Life Principles, says that, “Our courts are now in confusion, with two opposing legal systems. One is based on biblical principles; the other on humanistic principles. This explains why court decisions are more and more unpredictable, inconsistent and even contradictory.”

I have observed that protecting my own life from spiritual danger means recognizing my problems are not about ignorance. I almost always know the difference between right and wrong. Neither will my protection come from more rules, for rules do not changed the rebellion that pops up from my own sinful heart. I can know something is not good for me (it might be as simple as another slice of chocolate cake), but the rules of healthy eating do not prevail against that sinful and dangerous attitude of, “I want what I want when I want it.”

The Bible offers hundreds of examples of the folly of humanity and its source. We are sinners. We resist God to our peril. Education and wisdom do not help us for, “The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.” (Proverbs 14:1)

These days, common sense is not all that common, nor was it in the days of King Solomon. He observed, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.” (Proverbs 14:12–13) We humans tend to go for what looks good up front, what will make us happy, but so often those choices lead to sorrow and even death.

This attitude is common to humanity. Scripture repeated describes those in the days of the Judges in Israel when there was no king and “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6, etc.) This “I will do my own thing” produced chaos then just as it does now.

Our daughter often says, “You can’t fix stupid” and that also is a problem. I shake my head at stories in the news, or Facebook videos of people who acted without thinking and hurt themselves or someone else, but have to admit that I can be foolish too.

So what is the solution? How can I be protected from spiritual danger, even physical danger if education, laws and rules will not do it?

The quote from Lloyd George deserves a second look. He did not say education was a bad thing, but that education without God is a bigger problem than most people realize. The Bible says we can trust all sorts of things, but can any of our idols make promises like these . . . ?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. (Proverbs 3:5–7)

Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent . . . put your trust in the Lord . . . In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:4–8)

Trusting God means that I will do what He says, not what “seems right in my own eyes.” If I really trust God, then I will be obedient, and He will be part of my decisions or actions. This never happens because of education or rules, but because God is changing my life. In grace, He has determined to love and care for me just as He promises in Psalm 91:14-16 . . .   

Because (she) holds fast to me in love, I will deliver (her); I will protect (her), because (she) knows my name. When (she) calls to me, I will answer (her); I will be with (her) in trouble; I will rescue (her) and honor (her). With long life I will satisfy (her) and show (her) my salvation.

Absolutes in a world of gray

The expression “black and white” usually refers to a person or an opinion that sees everything as either right or wrong, with no shades of gray and no other interpretations. While this is considered “not useful” in reaching solutions, there are occasions that call for a distinct separation of two viewpoints. For instance, it is never right to abuse or torture a child. It is always wrong to steal what belongs to another.
 

In these days of “whatever is right for you might not be right for me” the idea of ethical absolutes has been tossed in favor of “each one doing what is right in his own eyes” as it was in the early days of the Old Testament (see Judges 17:6 and 21:25). As a result, our society is adrift in moral chaos. 

I tend to be a black and white person. While I see great room for opinions about art, music and other likes and dislikes, in my mind there is no place for gray when it comes to right and wrong. I also believe there is no place for personal decisions in those areas that are not black and white. The Holy Spirit might direct one person into some activity and forbid another, not because the activity is right or wrong, but that God sees and considers the needs, strengths and weaknesses of each person, and has eternal reasons for His direction. For instance, it might be okay for one to take up a hobby of making and flying model airplanes and not for another. The hobby is neutral, but God considers things like motives and possible ministry opportunities.

Besides that, from the very first verses in the Bible, God Himself is described as being black and white.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:3–4)

Well-known preacher and writer, Charles Spurgeon says that no sooner did God create a good thing than He saw the necessity of a division. Light and darkness have no communion. For one thing, darkness is the absence of light and has no power over light. As John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” While he was speaking of Jesus, the principle is true regarding literal light. As soon as one candle is lit in a dark place, it is no longer dark. The two are separate by nature.

Spurgeon goes on to say that since God has divided light and darkness, we are not to confound the two when it comes to our actions and doctrines. The Bible calls us “children of the day” who must be “sober, honest, and bold in the Lord’s work, leaving all works of darkness to those who shall dwell in it forever” because they love being there.

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. (John 3:19)

He tells His people to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers because there is no partnership between righteousness and lawlessness and no fellowship between light and darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14). God has separated the two groups literally, morally and spiritually. 

He also calls us to live in the light because He is light. We are to be like Him and live as Jesus did.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Because of Jesus, I can be black and white in both theology and in finding solutions to the problems of life. Since God is light and calls me to walk in the light He gives, then I know there are ways that are dark. Walking in them is not only disobedience, but also puts me in harm’s way. For that reason, and because God separates me from my former life of darkness, then I must also divide the light from darkness in my judgments and actions, in what I hear and teach, and even in my associations. I must discern between precious and vile, and maintain that great distinction which the Lord made upon the world’s first day.

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Father, I understand this and embrace it. As Your child, I am to be like You. While You are patient and longsuffering with those who oppose You, You never add gray to the distinctions You make between wrong and right, sin and righteousness. I am either in the flesh or in the Spirit, walking my own way or obeying You. I cannot determine these things for others since this is Your responsibility. Besides, I often cannot see the Light in my own life and need Your continual guidance. Nevertheless, You call me to be black and white when hearing and doing Your will. You know that I am easily muddled. I am also totally rejoicing that You avoid shades of gray.