The Unwavering Truth: Wrong is Always Wrong
A fundamental truth, a truth that often gets lost in the complexities of our world: wrong is always wrong. It is not a matter of circumstance, convenience, or comparison. It is a matter of God's unchanging standard.
1. Wrong is Always Wrong Even if You Don’t Get Caught (Proverbs 15:3):
"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." We may deceive ourselves into believing that if our actions remain hidden, they are inconsequential. But God sees all. The illusion of impunity is just that – an illusion. Every deed, every thought, is laid bare before His all-seeing eyes. The fact that we do not get caught by man, does not mean we will escape divine justice.
2. Wrong is Always Wrong Even if You Do It for a Good Cause (1 John 3:4, 5:17, 2 John 9):
"All sin is the transgression of the Law." We cannot justify wrongdoing by claiming a noble intention. The ends do not justify the means. To break God's law, even in the pursuit of what we perceive as good, is still sin. We must be wary of the subtle temptation to compromise our integrity for the sake of a perceived greater good.
3. Wrong is Always Wrong Even if Others Are Doing Worse Things (Proverbs 24:9):
"The thought of sin is foolishness." Comparing our sins to those of others is a dangerous and futile exercise. It provides no justification for our own wrongdoing. In the face of God’s perfect standard, all sin is equally offensive. We will not be judged by the world’s relative standards, but by God’s absolute truth.
4. Wrong is Always Wrong Even if it Doesn’t Bother Your Conscience (Galatians 6:7):
"Whatever a man sows, that shall a man reap." Our conscience is not a reliable moral compass. It can be seared, desensitized, and manipulated to accept what is wrong. The absence of guilt does not equate to innocence. We cannot escape the consequences of our actions, regardless of how we feel about them.
5. Wrong is Wrong Even if Considered Acceptable (Exodus 23:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:21):
"Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil," and "Abstain from all appearance of evil." Popular opinion does not define morality. Just because a behavior is widely accepted does not make it right. We are called to stand against the tide of societal norms when they contradict God's Word. We are to examine everything, and hold fast to what is good.
6. There is Never a Right Way to Do Wrong:
There are no loopholes, no exceptions, no gray areas. Wrong is wrong, plain and simple. We cannot rationalize or minimize our sins. We must confront them with honesty and repentance.
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This is a call to radical honesty and unwavering commitment to God's truth. We are not called to a life of compromise, but to a life of integrity. Let us examine our hearts and our actions, and let us strive to live in accordance with God's unchanging standard.
Our Worship will Now Begin with the Collection (2 Corinthians 9:7): "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." 1 As we prepare to give, let us remember that our offerings should be a reflection of our hearts. Let us give generously, cheerfully, and willingly, knowing that God sees not just the amount, but the attitude behind our giving.
May we all strive to live lives that reflect the unwavering truth that wrong is always wrong, and may our hearts be filled with the joy of obedience to our Lord. Amen.
