Let’s Bring Back Discrimination

I don’t know about you, but I would like to watch the news for more than a day or two before someone prominent in finance or politics is exposed for fraud or indecent conduct. Or an overpaid sports star does something dumb or disgusting. Or we must hear of another church leader or entertainment celebrity involved in or championing some salacious and self-destructive behavior.

"A liar begins with making falsehood appear like truth, and ends with making truth itself appear like falsehood." ____ Shenstone

There are a right and a wrong. As a nation we must renew our ability to discriminate between the two—to use a right judgment in all things. Does that mean judging. Yes it does.

One scripture secular Biblical illiterates know and quickly quote is Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, that ye be not judged." They of course are unfamiliar with the second part, if you do judge, be willing to be judged by the same judgement, "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: ..."

We are not talking about being a judge but using good judgement or discernment. You or I cannot know or judge the spiritual condition of an individual’s heart. We are to judge what they say and do. At the same time keep in mind we are called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

We are to discriminate between right and wrong, and then make a right judgment. Too many Americans are unable or unwilling to do so. They are willing, however, to accept the day’s popular immoralities—if touted as inclusive or a call for diversity, two "new speak" words for accepting sinful and destructive behavior. Words no longer meaning what they are supposed to mean.

"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less." "The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things."
___ Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass

Sorry Alice, the question is not whether today’s secular progressives in news, entertainment, and politics can make words mean so many different things. The question is, are they making words mean the opposite of what they are supposed to mean. Remember when being gay indicated happiness or light-hearted and lively? And now, it is a popular but deceptive word for engaging in sexual perversion and self-destructive behavior.

For good or bad, our Nation is the sum total of each individual’s behavior. To stop our destructive direction we need more Americans to stand up and say "no" to today’s cry for inclusion and diversity. Today’s call for inclusion and diversity is a call to embrace both the sin and the sinner. A call to put on blinders or accept the day’s popular sins of envy, greed, abortion, euthanasia, homosexual perversion, heterosexual promiscuity, drug abuse, and political deception.

Those who still discern between right and wrong, condemn the sin yet love the sinner—inclusion of the sinner but exclusion of his or her sin. Not embracing today’s Humpty Dumpty’s inclusion and diversity conformity speak, is not to exclude anyone from God’s love and forgiveness, but to reject their sinful and destructive behavior. After all, each of us has fallen short and sinned in thought, word, and deed—and desire to be forgiven.

"Then she named the child Ichabod, saying, "The glory has departed from Israel! because the ark of God had been captured……" 1 Sam. 4:21

Are we still a Christian nation? Or is a significantly eroded Judeo-Christian heritage the best we can claim? If so, what of our future?

Some believe America is now Ichabod. The Ark, however, has not been captured nor has the glory departed.

Yes, I know, as a nation we are undergoing great distress. Our economic, political, and religious structures are under attack. Illegal drugs and sexually transmitted disease are national epidemics. A growing debt crisis threatens our personal financial health and our national financial institutions. Internationally our enemies increase in number and strength. At home the enemies of Judeo-Christian thought hold prominent positions in news, entertainment, and our legislative halls. Too many Americans, lacking a moral compass, are unable to discern between right and wrong, or desire not to.

Nevertheless, in times of moral decay, economic distress, or national disaster, the Church thrives. Only the Church can offer true hope and real comfort to the afflicted and to the heartbroken. To do so, She must not withdraw into cultural isolation. She must be more than an hour of Christian diversion each Sunday. She must be bold.

America’s best days can still be ahead. Ours is still the land of hope and promise. To keep that hope and promise alive will not be easy. It will take prayer and bold action.

Be Informed Be Involved _________ Michael E. Odell

What action can you take? Go to Blog Archive at upper right, click on May-11-08, "But What Can I Do?" for six proven action steps. Pick yours.

Your thoughts and comments are welcome, well most of the time. E-mail: MichaelOdell@Lycos.com