Shades
of Gray
How often have people made comments to each other such as "You
see things in black and white but I see them in shades of gray."
Perhaps
it would be good for us to investigate these mindsets and perhaps then,
to re-evaluate our thinking.
Just where the idea of taking a less than firm stance on important and
even not so important issues may seem wise, a form of
détente even, people may be surprised to find that they are not
in good Biblical accord in doing so. Yes there can be numerous
excuses made, and even mottos such as "live and let live," but in
the end, they will pale, in the face of reality.
Allow me to pose a question or two. Can you tell which of the
above is in a person's mind if they can't look you straight in the
eye? If you ask a direct question, and you get a "Well- ah"
answer, do you have confidence in that person? What if you
receive no answer at all?
My experiences over the years with people including numerous members
of
the clergy, pride themselves on the shades of gray
psychology/philosophy. Are they right?
2 CO
6:14 Be ye
not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with
darkness? KJV
Lets take a look at how the Bible
in Basic English renders that passage.
2 CO 6:14 Do not keep
company with those who have not faith: for
what is there in common between righteousness and evil, or between
light and dark? BBE
Please take special notice
of
these passages, because they deal with the general population don't
they? Now allow me another question please. If the Church and
clergy feel they need to "hob nob" with the general population, are
they really needed? Or would it be better perhaps, for them to
make a clear distinction of how people should live and act?
The bedrock of society from Eden on, in God's eyes, is marriage between
a man and a woman. They were to have children, teach those
children to love the ways of God, and reach out to others in like
minded accord. As time progressed, and the Church Age was ushered
in, this very issue became a most important one because society had
fallen into near total decadence. You may care to
read I COR. 7:1-16 in regards to how the Apostle Paul dealt with the
issues that came about, because so many married couples suddenly found
themselves un-equally yoked as some chose to become Christians or
remain as they were.
Think about it for a moment. How many marriages are ending in divorce
courts because of this very issue? How many end because either
the husband or wife do not keep their proper place within a Christian
marriage? And who suffers the most? An adult, or the
children? IS it really legitimate to refer to "common law or
trial marriages? With another study, which will be
ready soon, you will be able to find answers to these questions
In today's permissive "shades of gray" society, do people seriously
enter into marriage or do they feel the ceremony is a mere token
and no matter what anyone says, they can pretty much do as they
please? After all, if the husband or wife "fool around" and
aren't caught in their shadowy acts, "who got hurt?" Likewise for
"okay lets play without abandon" in whatever deviant manner such as
mange de trios, outright orgies, and -- let the list go on.
Many in the clergy look aside when a bride comes down the aisle clearly
showing her pregnancy. Others look away as the couple
standing before them is of the same gender.
Small wonder that some still see things in black and white, and preach
accordingly. And where did this idea of thinking in terms of
black and white come from?
Mt 5:37 But let your communication
be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of
evil.
Mt 5:37 But let your words be
simply, Yes or No: and whatever is more than these is of the Evil One.