Are You Standing for Godly Convictions?

By Dennis Edwards

I was reading Psalm 94 today and came upon some interesting verses all in the same psalm which really got me thinking. “Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frame mischief by a law?”[1] Governments often pass laws which are contrary to the laws of God. Just because the government passes such a law does not make it right. I would interpret that to mean that we as Christians should not have fellowship with that kind of government or political party that promotes that violation of God´s law.

The next verse in the psalm goes on to say, “They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.”[2] What soul in its natural state could be more righteous than the soul of an unborn child? What blood could be more innocent than the blood of an unborn child?

Earlier in the same psalm we find the verses, “Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? How long shall they utter and speak hard things? And all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? They break in pieces your people, O Lord, and afflict your heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless?”[3] How often, these small ones killed in abortion are “fatherless.” A woman has conceived a child out of wedlock or has been raped. Therefore, to avoid shame and scandal the child is aborted. The child is paying for the sins of the parents. He or she has done nothing wrong. Nevertheless, he or she is punished with death.

The Bible tells us, “Thou shall not kill.”[4] Jesus went on to say, “In as much as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.”[5] He also said, “As you would that men should do unto you, do you likewise to them also.”[6] And in the Gospel of Luke we read, “It was better for him that a millstone was hanged about his neck, and he was cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”[7]

The psalm continues, “Yet they say, ‘The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.’ Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? He that formed the eye, shall he not see?”[8] In other words, God is looking and sees and hears what we are doing. We will ultimately be required for our wrong doing, if not in this life, in the world to come, unless we confess, repent and change. Even then, we often suffer and others suffer because of our sins and mistakes, although God can bring this together for good, like He has promised in His word. “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”[9]

The Psalmists goes on later to implore, “Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?”[10] He is pleading for others to stand with him and speak out against the injustice that is happening around him, even if it is framed by law and is lawful, like abortion and homosexuality or the deportation of immigrants. Just because something is legal does not make it right in the eyes of God. Some countries like Holland have legalized euthanasia, but that does not make it right in the eyes of God. We need to go back to God´s book and find out what He thinks and make our judgments based on what He says, not the biggest political party or most popular opinion of the day.

“Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.”[11] It is not easy to speak up about these controversial questions and one would probably rather just keep silent. But God´s spirit within us will push us to be a testimony for truth. It is not a popular route, but it is a route we must take if we want to sincerely please our Maker and defend the rights of the innocent which we are all required by God to do. In the Old Testament we read, "These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates."[12] In the New Testament Paul tells us we should be "speaking the truth in love."[13]

The psalmist finishes the psalm with this warning. “And He shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the Lord our God shall cut them off.”[14] There will be a judgment day for each of us. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad.”[15] Or as we read from the book of Hebrew: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."[16]

It behooves us to take account of these things and do our best to love and help others and speak out against wrong doing. If we do not, who will? Is God´s voice calling you to stand up with conviction and lovingly point others to God´s truth? Do not be ashamed. God will help you. In turn, you will help others and they and you will be glad you did! “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”[17]

God bless you as you as you lovingly stand up for convictions based on His Word.

Notes:

[1] Psalm 94:20
[2] Psalm 94:21
[3] Psalm 94:3-6
[4] Exodus 20:13
[5] Matthew 25:40
[6] Luke 6:31
[7] Luke 17:2
[8] Psalm 94:7-9
[9] Romans 8:28
[10] Psalm 94:16
[11] Psalm 94:17
[12] Zechariah 8:16
[13] Ephesians 4:15
[14] Psalm 94:23
[15] 2 Corinthians 5:10
[16] Hebrews 9:27
[17]Matthew 10:32