Proverbs 17:15
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—
the Lord detests them both.
God is not a moral relativist. There are the wicked who do bad, who break his moral law; and there are the righteous who do good, who follow his moral law. To flip them around to justify the wicked and condemn the righteous is an abomination to him.
We see that in our society. Abortionists are good; to oppose abortion is wicked. Sex of any variety is good; to proscribe that sex is reserved for a married couple of man and woman is wicked. To ignore or reject outright the God of the Bible is good; to take his Word seriously is wicked. It is one thing to wink and commit sin; it is another to uphold the sin as good and condemn righteous behavior.
But that is the way that a society that rejects God will go. There is no divine law to inform and restrain. All that is left is to do what seems right in one’s own eyes, and the only measure is inner feeling. This will always lead off the righteous path laid forth by Scripture. For as Scripture explains, the heart itself is sick with sin. What can it do but lead us into sin? And how can we live in sin and remain happy? By calling what is sin good, and what is good sin. Now we are able to live in peace.
However much peace we may feel, God is not at peace with us. Rest assure that the righteous whom he regards as righteous will be justified, and the wicked whom he regards as wicked will be condemned. He will not tolerate abomination.
But how do we get out of our mess? For if we are honest, we still give in to what is wicked. Turn to the Judge and find that he is also the Merciful Redeemer. He does not desire the condemnation of the wicked, but rather that the wicked will turn from their evil ways. Don’t justify your wickedness. Turn to God to save you, to change you.
2 Corinthians 6
As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,
“In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”[a]I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
Paul’s Hardships
3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.
Warning Against Idolatry
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[b]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”[c]17 Therefore,
“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”[d]18 And,
“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”[e]