moral relativity and expedience

Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.

It's not hard to identify where our culture has embraced moral relativity and expedience over Truth and character. In the public schools children are taught that homosexuality is an acceptable alternate lifestyle. Culturally, we've been sold the lie that pornography is art. "We're only human" has become an excuse for misbehavior rather than a call to conform to the humanity created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27). We've sacrifices logic and reason for the tolerance of humanism. We've lost the distinction of role and identity by declaring all people equal rather than distinct. We've lost the value of the community by exalting individual rights over the security, preservation and well-being of the group. In every way, our world has been turned upside down.
Yet, isn't the same true in me? I justify my behavior and selfish indulgences by ignoring God's truth. I claim that my needs and desires and natural and therefore justified when met. I consider myself better than I am and manipulate circumstances to promote or exalt myself over the group. I show favoritism to those I like and paint those I don't agree with in broad ugly brushstrokes.
I find that the tendency of the human heart (mine included and especially) is to sink into relativity and expedience for selfish gain and comfort. The desire of the Spirit however is to remind us of God's Truth and convict us when we stray from it (John 16:13-15). I must discipline myself to live moment my moment in the Spirit and listen to His voice rather than to my flesh. I must evaluate everything according to God's Truth, His Word and lean on the illumination of the Spirit to help me avoid expedience and embrace justice. If I am to be blessed in this life and the next, I must turn myself upside down and daily live by God's standards rather than the world's or even my own.

Father - teach me to hear more clearly Your Holy Spirit. Strengthen me to avoid selfish relativism and expedient decisions. Let my life be marked by obedience rather than indulgence. Amen.



John 16:13-15
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.