A Word By Any Other Name Remains The Same

"Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good." Romans 12:9 But first we need to define what is evil. The world has taken what is evil in God's eyes and proclaimed it good. Do you tell "white" lies? The world says it's ok to tell white lies. God says lies are evil, they're from the devil who is a liar and the father of it (John 8:44.) The world says that we must not mention God or pray in Jesus's name because it is an offense to those of other religions. God calls other religions idolatry, they are evil he says. The world forbids spanking children. The Word of God says that if you refrain, you actually hate the child (Proverbs 13:24). God calls rejecting his Word ...evil. The world says a woman has a right to do what she wants with her body when pregnant. That's a liberty the world has granted and fostered, but one that is forbidden by God. The world calls it "your rights." God calls the destruction of the unborn child murder. The "modern" world says that couples should live together outside of marriage. God calls it fornication. He calls it evil. The world says that if you're not "happy" in your marriage, you should leave and pursue happiness elsewhere. God says he HATES divorce (Malachi 2:16). He calls it evil. The world demands rights for homosexuals, calling it good - even demanding to be able to teach young children that homosexuality is just as normal as "old-fashioned bigoted heterosexuality." God calls it ...evil. The world says you must do what you can to foster your "self esteem." God says we are fallen, sinful, and that until we recognize that - we live in the heinous evil of pride. The world says, "if it feels good, do it." God says that is the way to hell. Hear the Word of God: "WOE to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;" Isaiah 5:20 When God determines woe upon people, it carries a promise of great suffering. Sin, when it is finished, brings forth death (James 1:15). Dead hearts, dead relationships, dead families, dead societies. Death. There IS an "alternate lifestyle" though, that God calls "good." It's cared about only by a minority of the human population. This alternate way of thinking approves what God approves, surrenders to his will, loves even when it is rejected by others and persecuted. As recorded in this same chapter of Romans: vs 2: "...do not be CONFORMED to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that GOOD and acceptable and perfect will of God." For those who choose to surrender to what God prescribes, here are the results: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Galatians 5:22-25 It is the way of peace. It is the way of true abiding happiness. But it's hard to get there: Pray with me: Father, I hear what you say and I acknowledge it to be true because it is the Word of Almighty God. But I find in myself an inability to do it, so I've made excuses for myself and convinced myself that it's ok because I can't do it. But Father, I present myself to you in humility, willing for you to change my heart because I cannot do it myself. Lord Jesus, I ask you to be my Lord and my Savior and bring your will to pass in me, and in my life. I ask for grace to surrender, I can't even do that of myself. I ask for the gift of repentance. I ask for wisdom and grace to make the HARD CHOICES to cooperate with you when you are dealing with me. You know our weakness, you know only too well. Your Word says it's "NOT by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord of Hosts," (Zechariah 4:6) and I am willing to let my "might" go and surrender to your Spirit, your power, your will. Where I am not willing, all I can say is that I am willing for you to make me willing, because I believe you. Here I am, Lord, receive me and help me, I pray. Amen