God's Truth Isn't "Politially Correct"

"Today's Devotion" For March 11, 2006

Read: Matthew 7:3-5; Psalm 119:1-8

GOD'S TRUTH ISN'T "POLITICALLY CORRECT"

"Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord." (Psalm 119:1)

Do you ever feel that as a society we spend too much time "straining at gnats and swallowing camels" (cf. Matthew 23:1ff, 24)? One of the ongoing battles in the arena of what has become known as "political correctness" is that which surrounds the use of "Indian" names for school sports teams. A community columnist in the local newspaper waded into the debate by noting that in many cases names like "Warriors," sans the "Indian" caricatures that used to accompany such names, are no longer specific, but generic terms. As such it seems pointless, according to the columnist, to continue the debate since what was ostensibly offensive - the mascot - is no longer a part of the equation. He notes that since the debate continues unabated perhaps there's truth to the argument that there is a broader agenda than just the "Indian" mascots.

Isn't it amazing that in so many cases people are willing to point the finger at others but aren't willing to pay attention to their own behavior? Over the years I've noticed how people on both ends of an issue are more inclined to believe they're totally correct and the other side is totally wrong than they are to sit down and find out what they have in common. Such intransigency does nothing but accomplish legislative gridlock at all levels of government, ignore the needs of our neighbors, and create an adversarial atmosphere in and among different segments within our communities.

The truth is that we human beings are hypocritical and "political correctness" is the height of hypocrisy. I always find it interesting to note that "political correctness" always seems to be defined by those who believe they're open-minded, yet always seem to know better than I do what's right and what's wrong - who want my beliefs and behavior to fit their perception of how I ought to live. While it's "politically incorrect" to cause real or perceived offense to others, if I'm offended by the "accepted" version of "political correctness" because I believe it to be wrong, it's of no consequence because I have a "closed mind." Yet, if human beings truly want to be concerned about not offending anyone, perhaps our first concern would be better focused on not offending God.

All too often Christians also fall into that trap and try to force others to believe as we do or do things the way we want them done. Yet God never forces anyone to believe. He never forces anyone to repent. If He doesn't force the issue - God clearly tells the world what the consequences of sin are - then why would we (and so often we do)? Jesus addresses this very pointedly when He reminds us that we must first pay attention to and acknowledge our own sins and need for repentance before we start trying to "fix" the sins of others. It's the height of hypocrisy for God's people to point the finger of blame at others while at the same time failing to acknowledge and repent of our own sins and disobedience to God.

By God's grace in Christ, forgiveness of our sins and the power of God's Word and Spirit are ours daily so that we might live in Him and for Him. God's truth isn't "politically correct" because it offends sinners and calls them to repentance and faith. Thus, Jesus' example of faithfulness to the Father was "politically incorrect" to the world around Him. Obeying God's Word and living as forgiven sinners, redeemed in Jesus Christ, we can expect to be considered "politically incorrect" in much of what we believe and how we live. Perhaps there's no more egregious form of "political incorrectness" according to the standards of our cultural milieu than to call Sin, Sin and evil, evil. By faith in Jesus, however, we stand firm in our convictions and seek to be living examples of the people of God - forgiven sinners in Christ.

Prayer: There's an old hymn that speaks to this issue well. It's titled, "Oh, that the Lord Would Guide My Ways" and it's a prayer for God to lead us to serve Him faithfully and honestly in all our living, as obedient and redeemed children. This is the prayer for today:

Oh, that the Lord would guide my ways To keep His statutes still! Oh that the Lord would grant me grace To know and do His will!

Order my footsteps by Thy Word And make my heart sincere; Let Sin have no dominion, Lord, But keep my conscience clear.

Assist my soul, too apt to stray, A stricter watch to keep; And should I e'er forget Thy way, Restore Thy wand'ring sheep.

Make me to walk in Thy commands - 'Tis a delightful road - Nor let my head or heart or hands Offend against my God. (Isaac Watts, 1719)

In Jesus' precious name. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.