Bob Nicholas.com

I am becoming more and more irritated with political correctness.  In pursuit of this man made ideal we continue to ignore and/or fear the consequences of discussing important topics.  We avoid topics related to politics, religion, life, and others.  Instead of discussing important topics with those around us, we stick to the superficial…hoping to keep the status quo and not cause harm.

As it says in Is 5:20-21

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;
Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
And clever in their own sight!

At work I joke of having a list of ‘unapproved public discussion topics’ as in the past I have not considered the cultural affects of a politically correct society and have spoken out of desire to share what I knew, rather than out of love for another.  As I have personally matured in faith and in life I have come to understand that while I cannot keep quiet while others make false statements, incite false perception, or simply speak from ignorance…there is a time and a place for such discussion.  But that discussion Must happen.

How can we sit back and allow ourselves to be convinced by the world that Truth is relative.  Truth is constant.  There is but one.  Some, actually, many would compromise Truth to fit in, to be accepted, to not make waves.  I have trouble doing that…my conscience doesn’t allow it.  As I have learned however, these conscientious moments must derive from the common pursuit of Love, not justice.

You see, often in my past I objected or spoke out on the basis of seeking justice.  Justice relates in definition to the “principle of moral rightness”.  It cannot be the end, nor the means.  Justice is something to be left to God.  Proverbs 16:11 states:

A just balance and scales belong to the LORD;
All the weights of the bag are His concern.

We need to speak out against injustice, but not for justice sake.  Our motivation is greater.  Our goal carries more weight than human justice.  Just as the Apostles spoke the Truth and were persecuted, so will those who speak Truth today.  We read in Acts 5:17-21 (emphasis added)

But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy.  They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail.  But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.” Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought.

The angel of the Lord told the Apostles to continue speaking despite their persecution.  These men preached the Truth and were killed and/or abandoned by society for it.  Yet they still spoke of Jesus Christ to all they met.  That is faith.  That is a faith I wish I had.

I know that when I have the courage to speak the Truth it comes easily and God carries the load.

For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. – MT 10:20

If we just have faith, and say “yes” as Mary did, trusting that God will carry the weight then we can change the world.  Truth can be known by all and Christ can be advanced in the hearts of men.

Back to the issue however…we must do so out of love.

I get a lot of static from friends and family over my political and societal views.  I am not a member of any political parties because I see them all as evil.  I do not think it is okay to call ‘President” Obama, “Mr.” Obama no matter how much I disagree with him.  I’m not a fan of war, government healthcare, and many other things.  I do not subscribe to shock journalism and dislike Rush as much as Stern.  I love all men and would never desire to hurt anyone ‘and’ I do own guns for sport and defense if needed.  I believe strongly that our society is hampered by the lack of human elements.

Man cannot hunt, gather, and provide as we once did.  Women cannot nurture, teach, and care as they once did.

Rather we are stuck in a hypocritical society that fears rejection.  I can’t state my religious or political beliefs freely because what if someone is offended?  Oh my gosh!  How could we let that happen!  This is problematic.

Answer me this….Whom is more harmed, the one who hears someone else’s viewpoint, or the one restricted from sharing it.  One is protected in the Bill of Rights, the other is not.  Yet we constantly fight to keep our freedom against those who would take it.

—now Bob, you are mixing politics and religion and that is not good.

Wrong again in my opine.  Modern politics are simply copies of previous political structures which included the religious leaders within their structure such as the Jewish people, Egyptian society, Medieval European culture, and others.

The “inalienable” rights we find so valuable in our constitution were not created or dreamed up by the architects of our country.  They were God given freedoms desired by those who founded our country…so they built them into the structure.  There are TRUTHS found in the Bible.

And yes, while those who founded our country had their faults just as we all do…the Truths they laid out have not changed.  They are still God given freedoms to all who roam this land.

So…where do we go?  How do we handle this quandary?  Can I be a political activist, and a Christian?  Sure, why not!  Jesus was!

I look at it like this.  We cannot afford to not talk about the important issues.

About ten years ago a friend of mine from school committed suicide.  He was a good guy, someone who deserved more in life.  I was not a good person during the time we knew each other.  After going to college and some time later becoming a Christian, I thought multiple times about contacting him and sharing the Good News that I had come to know.  A few months later a friend told me he committed suicide.  No one could find me to tell me and so I also missed the funeral.  This story isn’t really about me, I still pray for my friend and ask God to receive him home…  But there is always in the back of ones mind…”what if”.

I will do everything I can to not have “what ifs” in my life.  Whether it is an issue of getting into heaven, being a good husband, parenting, life issues, health, or how we treat others…I will have dialog with friends on these topics.  I will point out areas where I think someone might be in danger.  And I pray my friends have the courage to do the same for me.

Truth does not change.  We will be persecuted when we speak it.  We will be attacked by the devil, who is as real as you and I.  As Jesus Christ tells us through John

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. – John 10:10

I pray that we all seek to have life abundantly by destroying political correctness and fear.  Tear down the walls that prevent us from loving one another as Christ calls us to.  Yes, I’m a sinner and I need the help of the Christian community to grow in holiness and the likeness of God…and so do you.  Receive the words of a friend with care, and offer them with even greater care.  In doing so God will use you to show His love and His justice will be done.

God bless.