By Rev. Harold O Bailey
Some Old Testament people are described in a way that is too close for comfort for some of us today: "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.' (Judges 17:6)
What is right in God's sight is not primarily discovered by polls of human opinion. He reveals His will through His Word. And in that Word His Spirit leads us to His message of forgiveness and new life in Christ, crucified and risen.
God's great rescue program reveals that He delights to give us His kingdom through Jesus Christ. But what do we believers need to be rescued from? The need is to be rescued from what God considers evil.
Again, His Word helps us understand what we are to turn from in our thoughts and actions, through our faith-connection wi(h Him. Assuredly, these insights apply also to the larger Body of Christ and to His family in local congregations. In the latter, the major part of (he Church's life is experienced. So Our Lord speaks to His people in Corinth and also to us in our congregations when He both warns and offers His promises, when He gives us both Law and Gospel: "Don't you know that wicked people won't inherit the kingdom of God? Stop deceiving yourselves! - People who continue to commit sexual sins, who worship false gods, those who commit adultery, homosexuals, or thieves, those who are greedy or drunk, who use abusive language, or who rob people, will not inherit the kingdom of God. That's what some of you were! But you have been washed and made holy, and you have received God's approval in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." (I Corinth.6:9-11). Filthy and deceived; cleansed and approved; Law and Gospel.
Only through Christ and His rescue do we have hope. Led by His Spirit, we can humbly live the new life of forgiveness and godliness. Surely this will bring glory to God.