Rights and Wrongs

 Rights and Wrongs

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 NAS95)

Life is full of judgment calls. We make decisions all the time, often not knowing if what we choose is good, better or best; or, bad, worse, or worst-est. Many of these judgments fall between broad principles, leaving freedom to choose one way or the other. It’s not necessarily a difference of being righteous or sinful. But, with regard to some of these decisions, we will look back with thankfulness; with regard to others, with regret.

It is interesting to track the life stories of people who have chosen/judged well. Some have been frugal with their money and good at saving, giving the ability late in life to enjoy the freedom of traveling and ministering to others, at no cost to others. Some have taken care of their health so that they continue to be able to move about freely. Everyone knows that there are some, in this unpredictable world, who have saved well, and lost it all; or eaten well, and still been stricken with disease or injury. We make our decisions within small orbs of influence, knowing that we do not control the larger atmosphere around us. And those decisions often make a difference.

We know that for those who exercise good judgment, good results often follow, though not always. We also know that those who have a habit of making lousy decisions, – rarely, very rarely, do they escape the consequences. So we try and do well, even though others would no doubt have chosen otherwise.

Our decisions affect not only ourselves and our loved ones, but others as well. A pastor makes judgment calls concerning the care of the congregation, as well as initiatives and priorities. Some decisions are good. A few are right on. Others, we could wish it had been done differently. But certainly those decisions affect many people or groups of people in many different ways.

We must all be careful of our motives. Those who are more conservative (risk-averse) may be that way primarily to protect their comfort. That sets up for poor judgment calls. Others are much more anxious to be aggressive, but it may not be due to insight as much as a willingness to try something new at the expense of that which is old (or, those who are old). Our judgments are often compromised by our motives, and betray what we think is excellent reasoning.  And when will we know for sure which judgments are best? Perhaps not until Jesus comes again.