It is hard to go one day and not notice the upside down logic of the modern world. What has always been known to be wrong is now considered right. What was right is now wrong or even called evil. It is called freedom to do whatever an individual believes is true. Truth is now flexible. No undisputed truths exist. But that is the core of the dichotomy of what is professed. There is a truth in their eyes. It is the truth of whatever agenda is being pushed and even forced upon everyone else.
In today’s world, everyone can express their opinion except those who speak against the ideology of the day. Those who speak and worse yet, act against it are called out, criticized and even canceled, often in danger of losing their jobs and businesses. Everyone is free as long as you follow the tight parameters of those who are seeking to reform our societal norms.
But freedom is not doing whatever you want. That kind of freedom is chaos and that brings violence and danger to everyone. Societal norms are what keeps our society functioning and safe to grow and progress. Following a common moral code allows humans to live together in harmony. Without a moral code we can agree on, anything is allowed. When there are no limits, no one is free.
Imagine crossing a long suspension bridge hundreds of feet over a wide river. Some people dread doing this even with the current safety features in place. Now, imagine crossing that same bridge wiht no guard rails or lines dividing the roadway into lanes. Let’s be free. Drive wherever you want, as fast as you want and with no lines to restrict you or guard rails to keep you on the bridge. Would that be freedom?
There is a story about an island that has high cliffs high above the raging sea below. The island has a fence that goes along the perimeter to keep all of the children on the island from falling off the cliffs. Well, someone decides that the fence is bad. It is restricting the children from going wherever they want. So, the fence is torn down. You probably have guessed what happened. The children who previously ran all around with no fear, now are huddled near the center of the island afraid to venture too far out and fall to their deaths.
Just laws are designed to keep us safe or to help us thrive. They allow us to be truly free and live how we were meant to be. Total unrestricted freedom creates chaos and results in fear and violence as everyone does whatever they desire.
The prophets of the Old Testament warned against this in their times and their warnings are just as true today.
Ah! Those who call evil good, and good evil,
who change darkness to light, and light into darkness,
who change bitter to sweet, and sweet into bitter!
Ah! Those who are wise in their own eyes,
prudent in their own view! Isaiah 5:20-21
In those days there was no king in Israel;
everyone did what was right in their own sight. Judges 21:25
Those in society who believe they know more than the Almighty God who created them are truly the foolish of the day. As it was in all times past and is still true today, Christians must persevere in this world knowing our reward will be in our eternal home.
Keep believing. Keep praying. Be holy. Trust in God in all things.
We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
