FROM THE KEYBOARD

Do not feel bad for celebrating what is good and know that it is not good to grieve over the defeating of bad. In other words, as believers in the One True God, we should not allow feelings to ever keep us from clinging to what is good and abhorring what is evil. "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good" (Romans 12:9).

Our orientation is either the Holy Scriptures or the unholy culture. One way grants us clear vision, while the other way gives us double vision. You see, we are either taking our mark from the Word or the world—and by the same, we will leave our mark on others. Therefore, "set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2).

We don’t just need hands to tear down pagan altars; we also need to see hearts and minds altered. Reform might bring justice, but only repentance can bring about lasting righteousness. "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death" (2 Corinthians 7:10).

We cannot go wrong when we know the Lord is always right. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way” (Psalm 37:23). Simply put, if we trust His path and His way, then we will never stray.

The person who knows that Christ is everything needs nothing. When Christ fills our lives, our hearts find true contentment, for He meets every need, stills every fear, and satisfies every longing. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1).

When the fear of God diminishes, our understanding of reality fades. Proverbs 1:29-31 warns us: “Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way and be filled to the full with their own fancies.” Remember, living by God's truth may sometimes make us outcasts, but we can rest assured that He will never cast us out.