It’s Outrageous!

This is taken from an article I wrote in 2019. Still relevant today.

And furthermore, O God, smash them in the mouth and break all of their teeth.  It’s outrageous! In Psalm 58 the psalmist is raging against the faithless rulers, the judges, and religious leaders who pervert justice and promote violence everywhere. I can identify with the psalmist here. How easy it is to rage against perceived injustice with a call for cruel revenge.

God asks Jeremiah, Have you seen what my faithless people have done? They defile the land with prostitution and wickedness. It’s outrageous! God is raging against His own people for breaking the first commandment repeatedly, never repenting of their love for other gods. How easy it is to presume upon God’s mercy and overlook our own idols. (read Jeremiah 3:1-15)

The reason I left you in Crete was for you to straighten out the unfinished work and appoint blameless leaders, Paul admonishes Titus. There are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers…they must be silenced because they are ruining whole households.  It’s outrageous! Paul is upset that the households of faith in Crete were not reflecting the qualities of exemplary believers. Believers must be virtuous, faithful, self-controlled and secure in God’s love and grace. How easy it is for the cultural climate of our times to blunt our witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (read Titus 1:1-16)

The Psalmist reminds us of the ways righteous indignation can quickly become bitter, violent and cruel.  Jeremiah’s word from the Lord reminds us that God expects our repentance for the deepest of sins. Paul’s word to Titus reminds us that faithfulness is a foundational Christian virtue. Cruelty is not a Christian virtue. Violence is not, injustice is not, hatred is not a Christian virtue. Political loyalty is not, name calling is not, revenge is not a Christian virtue. Neither are greed, bigotry, or corruption Christian virtues.  They’re outrageous, and faithless.

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Honor Jesus today. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

Share this webpage: Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin