I was recently told “It is the 21^st century, there is no right and wrong anymore.  If it feels right, then do it.” If we venture out into the world we do not have to look far to see this phrase in action. We live in a world of constant Political Correctness. Almost every show on television promotes a sinful message. Casual Sex? Sure, and as a bonus no consequences! Drink, party, drugs?  No problem. We will dance the night away with all the “fun” we are having. Adultery/Divorce? It is just the norm, so accept it! Homosexuality? Of course! Everyone deserves love! In today’s world to be “open minded” is to be tolerant of sin, and Christians are (insert negative adjective here) if we stand up and say not just that we believe in right and wrong, but we KNOW there is right and there is wrong.

The mindset of “anything goes” spells disaster. Look at Judges 17:6, “In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes” (NAS). Over and over Israel played the harlot and disaster overcame them. We are told in the New Testament to watch for the one who will deceive our souls. “No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). We also need to listen for those who “deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting” (Romans 16:18). Look at what brought down the great nation of Rome: rampant immorality and full acceptance of it!

We are clearly told to stand apart from the world, and to stand firm in our faith (1 Corinthians 16:13, Phil 1:27). We are often quiet about our beliefs when talking to the world at large. We often have no issue proclaiming God’s rights and wrongs to a room full of like-minded Christians, but what about when we step outside of our bubble? Will we lose friends? Probably. Could we lose our job? Maybe. Will we be called names? Definitely. But we need to consider what Jesus said in Matthew 16:26 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Jesus also told us that we will be persecuted, and we should be glad! (Matthew 5:10,12) Glad?! Yes. Jesus was persecuted as were the prophets before him. To stand up for God is to stand up against the world. 1 John 2:15 tells us “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” James 4:4 says “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” An enemy of God? Let this not be the case. Instead we are supposed to be light! In Christ there is no darkness! Right and Wrong! “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).

Often I am reminded of a song we sing to our children. “Be careful little eyes what you see….ears what you hear….mouth what you say…hands what you do…” Our Father is in Heaven above. He is looking down in love. We need to be careful what we expose ourselves to, and what we see as “acceptable sin.”  James 4:17 says “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” We all know what we need to be doing. There is right and there is wrong. Let’s stand up for God and sin no more!

By Kristin Neill
Kristin is a working mom, is married with two beautiful children. She and her family worship at the Southwest church of Christ in Ada, Oklahoma.