Based on Psalm 53:1-3 (New King James Version)
“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. Every one of them has turned aside; they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one.”
Are things really as bad as the Word says, that there is no one who does good? There are many who may disagree with this, and would think it is an exaggeration. There are people who have the opinion that there are good people, and that not all of them are criminals, per say. And there are also people who would say: “No one is perfect, but if a person is bad, that is another thing.” Anyway, many may differ in opinion (because at the moment they have that right), but it all depends on the standard that is used to measure (so to speak).
And here is revealed one of the main problems that exist today, that we live in a society that has collectively determined to establish its own standards for right and wrong. Not too long ago; either by virtue in that the majority of people believed in God in some way, or by the teachings of certain Christian religions (all of us who believe in Christ), there was a fear in crossing certain boundaries, and there was such a thing as shame when something bad was done (Do you remember that there was such a thing as shame?). Whether due to social stigmas or religious teachings, there were limits. And the most notable thing about that issue was that there were people who did not have good lifestyles, who did not want the same for their children, because again, there was at least some recognition of what sin was, even though they were not religious. The prostitute did not want her daughter to be a prostitute. The thief did not want his children to be thieves. Parents once wanted better lives for their children. I still remember those days. Now, the vast majority of society has tried to abolish all feelings of guilt and has tried to make the concept of sin disappear. And in many of our churches they no longer preach about sin, nor repentance, and that there must be a change of life as proof of conversion. Many of our churches have chosen to preach that God accepts you just as you are, and they use God's love as a pretext. And of course, there is no reprimand or discipline within the church for the simple fear that those who go to church will stop going, and that tithes and offerings will decrease. And no one who makes a living from the ministry wants that. Many may say: “Society was more hypocritical back then.” And well, maybe yes, although not in all cases, but the difference was that there was no glorification, nor was there pride in sin. Today sin is glorified and even pride in living a sinful lifestyle is taught. And God warns about precisely these problems, as it is written: “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! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” Isaiah 5:20-21. And this takes us to our next point.
Who is it that has the right to say what is right and what is wrong? God, the One who created everything. God is the only One who has the power to set the standard for good and evil. Furthermore, man was not the one who created morality or justice. That comes from God. And many of our laws still take root from what God established such as: You shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, and so on. So, morality does not belong to man, under any circumstances.
Now, many would say today: “Why should we take God into account? What does it matter what God thinks, if He even exists!” And the bottom line is that our opinions or desires are not what determine reality. Nothing we feel, or think, or do will affect the reality that God is God, and that He will judge every human being, despite what they want to think. Many apparently believe that there is such a thing as democracy in heaven and that our favor affects the Almighty, but that is not the case. God is God, and all judgment belongs to Him, and this same thing will be fulfilled, no matter what people choose to believe: And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27. And the Scriptures also say this: “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…” 2 Corinthians 5:9-11a. This isn't heard very much in church, now is it? Nevertheless, each one of us, without exception, is walking towards a judgment where God will judge every human being, and there is nothing anyone can do to avoid it. Regardless of your beliefs, your economic or social status, whether you are a member of a church, or even within a ministry, we will all give an account before the Judge of the universe. This is what the Lord Himself taught: “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. ‘So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ ‘Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ ‘But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” Matthew 25:14-30. So, if God will judge His servants according to what they have done with their talent, and they will be cast into eternal darkness if they are found lacking, what will happen with the rest? This finally is what God says: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:9-10. So, is your heart right before the Lord? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!