Tag Archives: justification and rationalization

When God Comes Looking for You

Posted on March 25, 2023 by expressyourself4him

There are 42 parables of Jesus recorded in the Bible. However, when you consider that Jesus spent the last three years of His life on earth preparing 12 disciples to become spiritual leaders of the church, Jesus told many more, John 21:25. One of the most famous parables is found in Luke 15 where 3 separate stories build upon one another. God goes after a lost sheep, searches for a valuable family heirloom and waits on the front porch for a prodigal son to come home.

Then the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves apronlike girdles. 8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, Where are you? – Genesis 3:7-9

The first two residents on earth lived in paradise, calling a lush garden watered by tropical springs their home. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before Eve pressed her luck, seeking to go beyond the boundaries set by God in Genesis 2:15-17. Having just one rule to abide by sounds like freedom, but a serpent planted a seed within Eve’s mind that God was holding them back. Justification and rationalization led the way to eat from the forbidden tree.

 He said, I heard the sound of You [walking] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And He said, Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom You gave to be with me—she gave me [fruit] from the tree, and I ate, Genesis 3:10-12.

The moment this couple took their first bite, innocence was lost. Conviction, guilt, and shame consumed each of their souls, causing Adam and Eve to hide from God. This is when God comes looking for you, hoping that you may come to your senses quickly. Yet, rebels often learn the hard way, too proud to be seen in their current condition. If you find yourself slip sliding away, drifting further and further from the Lord, God will use others to gather a search party so like the lost sheep and prodigal son, you too will return soon.

by Jay Mankus

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When Character Seems Illogical

Posted on September 5, 2022 by expressyourself4him

August 28th is the 59th anniversary of Martin Luther King Junior’ I have a Dream speech. While there are a couple of memorable moments, my favorite is Dr. King’s vision of an America where people are judged based upon the content of their character and not the color of their skin. Unfortunately, recent efforts by the Cancel Culture and Woke Movements have prevented MLK’s dream from becoming a reality.

You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the evil man [who injures you]; but if anyone strikes you on the right jaw or cheek, turn to him the other one too, Matthew 5:38-39.

Human nature is one of the main reasons to blame. According to the apostle Paul in Romans 7:14-20 sinful desires tend to take over human bodies. Subsequently, that which you were told to do as a child, which the Bible refers to as good and right, is not carried out. Meanwhile, a new age of justification and rationalization has swept through the United States to excuse bad behavior.

Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God—that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection], 1 Peter 3:9.

Yet, there are situations where character seems illogical. Jesus spoke about turning the other cheek when you are emotionally or physically attacked. C.S. Lewis wrote about self-preservation in Mere Christianity. Lewis uses the context of war for self-defense. Nonetheless, the Bible claims that God is the ultimate judge who will seek revenge on your behalf. Therefore, while character does seem illogical in the passages above, Christians need to be spiritually transformed before portions of the Bible make sense.

by Jay Mankus

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The Root of All Wrongdoing

Posted on May 27, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Wrongdoing is a common term used in the court of law. Defense attorneys set out to prove to the jury and judge that their client is not guilty of any wrongdoing. The Bible uses the imagery of light to illustrate what is right and true. Meanwhile, darkness is associated with wrongdoing. One of Jesus’ disciples doesn’t beat around the bush categorizing all wrongdoing as sin.

All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin which does not [involve] death [that may be repented of and forgiven], 1 John 5:17.

In this age of passing the buck, blame is deflected to circumstances and situations. Meanwhile, if anyone tries to through you under the bus, justification and rationalization will begin to kick in. This natural defense mechanism is on display daily in talk shows as prominent figures make excuses to protect famous friends. Instead of being honest and open, the act of wrongdoing is swept under the rug.

But as it is, you boast [falsely] in your presumption and your self-conceit. All such boasting is wrong. 17 So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin, James 4:16-17.

The earthly brother of Jesus uses the passage above to confront wrongdoing. You maybe one of the most creative individuals who can come up with an excuse for anything in life. Yet, James places sins of omission in the same classification as sins of commission. Wrongdoing isn’t merely an act, behavior or choice. Rather, failing to intervene when you know you should is also a sin. The root of all wrongdoing is disobedience or as in the days of biblical Judges, doing what’s right in your own eyes.

by Jay Mankus

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The Delusion

Posted on April 12, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Delusions occur when a false belief is accepted, or a judgment is made about an external reality. Author Chester Kylstra refers to this as ungodly beliefs in his book Restoring the Foundations. One of the best illustrations of a delusion happens in the film Rudy. Waiting for a bus to take him to Notre Dame, Rudy’s father tries to stop Rudy from chasing his childhood dream. According to Rudy’s father, he’s not smart and talented enough. This delusion prevented Rudy’s father from ever achieving his full potential in life.

If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts], 1 John 1:8.

Ungodly beliefs are not the only delusion that human beings endure. As sin enters your life in the form of enticement or lust, when the seed of sin is planted in your minds it’s only a matter of time before you will give into temptation, James 1:13-15. Unfortunately, to make yourself feel better, you might compare yourself with other people to conceal your own spiritual condition, Romans 2:1. This delusion comes in the form of justification and rationalization like the apostle Paul’s own struggle in Romans 7:15.

And by unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (going to perdition) because they did not welcome the Truth but refused to love it that they might be saved. 11 Therefore God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error and a strong delusion to make them believe what is false, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11.

The apostle Paul alludes to full blown sin in the passage above, James 1:15. Like an addict struggling to unhook their lives from an unhealthy substance, seduction is another delusion that you must confront. Anyone who has failed to break a bad habit understands the helpless feeling of compromise, asking God for forgiveness before indulging sinful passions. One of the lies of the Devil is that you’ll never change. Yet, if you follow Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians 10:13, God does provide a way out of temptation as long as you are willing to break free from sinful delusions.

by Jay Mankus

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