Can We Step Off the Pedestal, Please? 

“He hit me first,” little arms cross in defiance, and little legs plant firmly. No retreat without a struggle.

These are days grown ups brawl and pick sides, while firmly clinging to their own righteousness and good intentions. Mud slings and voices shout in the name of compassion and justice, while all of it escalates into something bearing no resemblance to either.

These are days when truth blurs and good and evil cross. When the simplest facts confuse with complex motives.

These are days when definitions of right and wrong are construed to uphold agendas and political opinions. They whip in the wind like banners untethered, allowing the basest of human nature expression. And it’s obvious how incapable all sides are of the reformation they claim without heart transformation.

Aren’t we adept at defending a “righteous cause” through unrighteous actions? After all, we’ve had practice since childhood. Humankind has done it since the beginning of time, when for some insane reason we decided our way was better than God’s.

God determines right and wrong. He defines it. His character is not compromised. He is just and merciful, loving and righteous, compassionate and holy, good and wise. His attributes do not morph, waver, or accommodate sin. One intrinsic quality of God is never compromised by another.

Every outrage of ours, each righteous thought, every human action done to right a wrong, falls short of the complete holiness of God.

We all can step down off of our pedestals now. Some of us, including myself, need to lift our eyes from the scenes on our screens and fix them on Christ.

When the world seems unhinged.We all can step down off of our pedestals now. Share on X

The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. (Psalm 93:1 ESV)

When our hearts cry out injustice.Some of us, including myself, need to lift our eyes from the scenes on our screens and fix them on Christ. Share on X

He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see?

He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke?

He who teaches man knowledge—the Lord—knows the thoughts of man,

that they are but a breath. (Psalm 94:9-11 ESV)

When criticism overcomes joy.

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. (1 John 3:1 NKJV)

When anger speaks louder than reason.

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20 ESV)

When pride distorts wisdom.

Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. (2 Corinthians 10:12 ESV)

When reactions feel justified.

But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. (Luke 6:27-28 NKJV)

The more we layer the entirety of God’s Word into our lives and hearts, the more we recognize the uncrossable gap between our hearts and a holy God. It widens rather than comes closer. And because His Words brings better understanding of God, in turn we see ourselves more clearly. We glimpse the bridge Jesus spanned as He hung from a cross, and we know that only He could close that gap.

Petty, “He hit me first,” and “It’s not fair,” offenses fall short. With our eyes on Christ, we view this life through a completely different lens of eternity. And it humbles us to bow before absolute love and righteousness, truth and purity, grace and mercy.

For the believer in Jesus Christ, wrong actions do not justify evil reactions.

All of our attitudes and deeds must first to be submitted to the grid and instruction of God’s Word. And although I cannot right the wrong actions of an unhinged world, I can do the right thing in the right way, by His direction and through His strength.

Christ willingly yielded to an unjust and cruel death. He did so, bound by true compassion and unmerited love for us. He is the standard, the absolute pinnacle of righteousness.

Amazing. Precious. Blameless. And it brings us to our knees, the only honest spot where a tension filled world can find answers. 

*Feature Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash