OXYMORON
An oxymoron is “a figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms” (Wikipedia). Some examples of an oxymoron are shown in phrases like “wicked good” and “bitter sweet”. Regrettably, recent American ideology has fashioned a new oxymoronic phrase - “politically correct”. Is there anything more contradictory from the meaning of the word “correct” than “politics”?
Now, ponder the earthly life of Jesus Christ (cf. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). It was a life, at first, filled with wonder from the masses who even desired to make Him a physical king (John 6:14-15). Later, though, the bulk of His disciples turned on Him by joining the ranks of those “leaders” who despised His teachings about God’s plan for man’s salvation (John 6:61ff). So, wouldn’t Jesus have been more effective in gaining and keeping disciples if He was more interested in being politically correct? Shouldn’t He have permitted them to make Him a king? Shouldn’t He have been more sympathetic to their desires? Perhaps He deserved to die on the cross for being too hard core in His words (John 5:18ff; 8:44; 18:23; 19:9-11)? Maybe He would have made a better impact on His society, and ours, if He just went along to get along.
In today’s politically correct society, it is not “worldly wise” to say that the only way a person can be justified by God is through obedient faith in Jesus Christ (cf. Romans; Galatians). To say such a truth might cause dissension, or worse, it might create honest thought that can redirect a person forever toward godly living. (How horrible to have godly living in any society, culture, or home.) Of course, the political correct thing to say is that God will accept all people of all faiths regardless of what they believe or who they believe. This is politically correct because its purpose is not to offend any particular dissenting group; at least, those who don’t care about following God to begin with. This type of thinking is derisive and creates disunity with God (Matthew 7:21ff; John 17:20-21).
The reality is that being politically correct in godly matters waters down the truth by making “the truth” more appetizing for those people who chose not to pursue God in the way He expects to be followed. In fact, Jesus said, “I (Jesus) am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (Jesus)” (John 14:6). It is hard to think of anything more politically incorrect in any “unfriendly” culture. How egotistical of Jesus to be so inflexible in His institution. How unsociable of Jesus who would dare confront the way people think and live. It doesn’t seem that Jesus would have been a very high figure in the American political world with this poor attitude?
American politics attempts to force political correctness. This intrusion is seen in government, schools, and churches. The world yells and screams, exposing their ungodly obscenities, to obscure the truth. The world makes demands. The world does not want Christ! The world does not want Christian morality. The world does not seek godly salvation. And if they have to have Christ around then they will make sure that His teachings are so mixed with political correctness that no one can differentiate between a Christian and an atheist (1 John 2:2, 15-17; 3:1, 13, 17; 4:1-6; 5:4-5, 19).
So, perhaps, if you claim to live for Christ and, simultaneously, try to please the world then, maybe, you are just “spiritually diminished”, “spiritually challenged”, “spiritually demoralized”, or “spiritually progressive”. These phraseologies sound rather harmless. Yet, they are extremely deceptive because they don’t call sin for what it is – SIN; thereby, creating societal appeasement. It has been said, “The Devil is content with people preaching Christianity as long as Christians don’t practice it.”
The apostles John said, “Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar [fraud, fake, pretender, imposter, hypocrite, phony], and the truth is not in him but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected [matured]. By this we may be sure that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he (Jesus) walked” (1 John 2:4; cf. 1:10; 2:22; 4:20; 5:10). Now, does the harshness of this last statement cause you to become incensed with anger or needle you to honestly think about The Author’s true desire for your life? The fact remains; there are some people who want to know the truth because they believe the truth will set them free. You must understand that no manner of political correctness can change, soften, or diminish the truth.
The Lord’s humbled . . . John A. Reeves
Now, ponder the earthly life of Jesus Christ (cf. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). It was a life, at first, filled with wonder from the masses who even desired to make Him a physical king (John 6:14-15). Later, though, the bulk of His disciples turned on Him by joining the ranks of those “leaders” who despised His teachings about God’s plan for man’s salvation (John 6:61ff). So, wouldn’t Jesus have been more effective in gaining and keeping disciples if He was more interested in being politically correct? Shouldn’t He have permitted them to make Him a king? Shouldn’t He have been more sympathetic to their desires? Perhaps He deserved to die on the cross for being too hard core in His words (John 5:18ff; 8:44; 18:23; 19:9-11)? Maybe He would have made a better impact on His society, and ours, if He just went along to get along.
In today’s politically correct society, it is not “worldly wise” to say that the only way a person can be justified by God is through obedient faith in Jesus Christ (cf. Romans; Galatians). To say such a truth might cause dissension, or worse, it might create honest thought that can redirect a person forever toward godly living. (How horrible to have godly living in any society, culture, or home.) Of course, the political correct thing to say is that God will accept all people of all faiths regardless of what they believe or who they believe. This is politically correct because its purpose is not to offend any particular dissenting group; at least, those who don’t care about following God to begin with. This type of thinking is derisive and creates disunity with God (Matthew 7:21ff; John 17:20-21).
The reality is that being politically correct in godly matters waters down the truth by making “the truth” more appetizing for those people who chose not to pursue God in the way He expects to be followed. In fact, Jesus said, “I (Jesus) am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (Jesus)” (John 14:6). It is hard to think of anything more politically incorrect in any “unfriendly” culture. How egotistical of Jesus to be so inflexible in His institution. How unsociable of Jesus who would dare confront the way people think and live. It doesn’t seem that Jesus would have been a very high figure in the American political world with this poor attitude?
American politics attempts to force political correctness. This intrusion is seen in government, schools, and churches. The world yells and screams, exposing their ungodly obscenities, to obscure the truth. The world makes demands. The world does not want Christ! The world does not want Christian morality. The world does not seek godly salvation. And if they have to have Christ around then they will make sure that His teachings are so mixed with political correctness that no one can differentiate between a Christian and an atheist (1 John 2:2, 15-17; 3:1, 13, 17; 4:1-6; 5:4-5, 19).
So, perhaps, if you claim to live for Christ and, simultaneously, try to please the world then, maybe, you are just “spiritually diminished”, “spiritually challenged”, “spiritually demoralized”, or “spiritually progressive”. These phraseologies sound rather harmless. Yet, they are extremely deceptive because they don’t call sin for what it is – SIN; thereby, creating societal appeasement. It has been said, “The Devil is content with people preaching Christianity as long as Christians don’t practice it.”
The apostles John said, “Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar [fraud, fake, pretender, imposter, hypocrite, phony], and the truth is not in him but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected [matured]. By this we may be sure that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he (Jesus) walked” (1 John 2:4; cf. 1:10; 2:22; 4:20; 5:10). Now, does the harshness of this last statement cause you to become incensed with anger or needle you to honestly think about The Author’s true desire for your life? The fact remains; there are some people who want to know the truth because they believe the truth will set them free. You must understand that no manner of political correctness can change, soften, or diminish the truth.
The Lord’s humbled . . . John A. Reeves
Article published on May 1, 2009 at The Idalou Beacon in Idalou, Texas
Published in the blog "The Lord's Humbled" in 2010
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