Ought Not to Be

During the 90's in San Diego, there was an investigative journalist on KUSI named Michael Turko who responded to consumer complaints.  His segment called "The Turko Files" was a big hit, and he was known for shouting, "It ain't right!" as he made waves to set things right.  He was a consumer advocate who brought shading business dealings to light.  Even if those who complained did not receive just compensation, Turko used his platform to expose fraudulent practices and push for justice.

Despite laws, written policies, training of employees and aims to provide quality goods and services, mistakes will be made and customers can be short-changed or cheated.  When it comes to business, government, relationships and life in general, there are no shortage of things which could lead us to rightly say, "That's wrong!"  Many times there is nothing we can do to change the past or things that seem unfair to us today--like restrictions or bans on items, exorbitant taxes, shrinkflation and price gouging.  We have all experienced or observed failures of government systems designed to help people that did not provide support as intended.  Every day Turko's famous moniker could be earnestly repeated by us, and such judgment would find wide approval.

Do you know God's word also points out what isn't right?  Our LORD does not condemn various systems of government, business models or organisational policies in His word, but He provides searching wisdom for each individual.  The Bible does not take pot-shots at Christian denominations for their faults but takes direct aim at every Christian to live according to God's will and perfect ways.  James 3:9-10 says of our untameable tongues, "With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so."  James identified a problem among Christians, his own brethren, that from their mouths they blessed God and also cursed men God created in His image.  James said plainly, "We do this, and it is wrong.  It ought not to be so."

How easily we can be stirred by the injustices in the world and yet overlook the inconsistency and hypocrisy in our own lives!  It isn't right we are glad to be forgiven of our sin by God but will not forgive others who have wronged us.  It isn't right to receive the grace of God who is patient with us and then condemn others and allow no chance for their redemption and restoration by God's grace.  Brothers and sisters, when we realise we aren't right (for who among us has not sinned as written in 1 John 1:10) let us be those who confess our sins to God, repent and do what He says is right.  Do not be deceived to think something that ought not to be in our lives cannot be presently practiced by us, for we observe this countless times in God's people in the Bible.  We cannot right wrongs, but admitting God is right and we are wrong are always the right steps to take.