Who gets to decide what is right and what is wrong? Why are some actions considered right while other actions are considered wrong? Who or what is the standard of judgment?
I am not the standard of judgment—My clear conscience does not mean that I am innocent. Paul said, “I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted” (1 Cor. 4:4). Many are those who had a clear conscience yet were living in rebellion against God (cf. 1 Kings 13:20; 2 Sam. 12:5-6; Acts 23:1).
My peers are not the standard of judgment—Our friends do not set the bar of what is right or how we are to live. Paul told his friends, “It is a very small thing that I should be judged by you” (1 Cor. 4:3).
My culture is not the standard of judgment—Media outlets, universities, watchdog organizations, etc. do not get to make the decisions as to what is right or wrong! Again, Paul said, “It is a very small thing that I should be judged…by any human court” (1 Cor. 4:3).
The will of the Lord is the ultimate standard of judgment—We echo the words of Paul, “It is the Lord who judges me” (1 Cor. 4:4). Almighty God is the Moral Lawgiver. It is the Lord who condemns or commends (1 Cor. 4:5; 2 Cor. 10:18; Rom. 2:29).
