HOW FAR IS TOO FAR?
Folks who go far in life are considered successful. Consider for a moment that the edge of morality as defined in the Bible, seems to have gone beyond previous taboos. Behaviors that were once frowned upon are now accepted. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8.) Has the Way, the Truth and the Life been form-fitted into cultural relevancy?
Cultural interpretation of morals can be a long and winding road that dilutes the original Truth. Politics and religion have blended to create three subcategories of people groups as viewed by each other: Legalists, Rationalists and Mainstreamists. The Legalists are viewed by the Rationalists as overly zealous religious folks with too many rules. The Rationalists are frowned upon by the Legalists as people who constantly make up new-normal's for morals. The Mainstreamists are folks who believe that we should all be happy no matter what anybody does.
When do we reach the point of having gone too far morally? How far is too far? In my opinion, the easy answer to that question is this: We go too far when we begin to rationalize and step away from the authority of the Bible.
All sin is offensive to God.
Not all sin is offensive to man.
The world system will engage you in mind-blinding.
The Bible will help you to renew your mind in Christ.
You once could see,
but now you're lost.
Satan has a compromise.
God has a promise.
DAY 20 WORD
Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
Be sober-minded [be sensible, wake up from your spiritual stupor] as you ought, and stop sinning;
for some [of you] have no knowledge of God [you are disgracefully ignorant of Him, and ignore His truths].
I say this to your shame.
1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Matthew 24:4
And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you."
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
DAY 20 PRAYER
We have moved ancient boundary markers in our behaviors.
You made us in Your image and likeness,
but we have looked more like spoiled children having our own way.
Forgive us God for what we have done.
Forgive us for having fallen so far we no longer recognize sin.
We live in an "anything-goes" world.
That's not Your Way.
Teach us Your Way O God.
Burn your Truth into our hearts.
Renew Life in us through the Resurrection of Your Son.
In Jesus name.
Amen.
DAY 20 DEEP THOUGHTS
- Can you think of a sin in the Bible that is no longer a sin today?
- What do you say to somebody who has gone too far as defined by the Bible?
- Urge folks engaged in questionable behaviors to do a "gut-check" with God. Tell them to ask God if He is okay with their behavior. Stick with the Truth of the Word.