Bitter For Sweet

What is right and what is wrong, God states in His Word. As followers of Christ, we are never to justify a wrong. To say a sin isn't wrong, or to say a wrongful act was part of God's greater plan (which implies that the sin was actually His will), may ease the guilt, but is offensive to God. Does this mean God cannot work past the sin through repentance or the godly prayers of others to bring about good? Of course it doesn't! But it does not excuse or justify the sin.

"Woe to those

who call evil good

and good evil,

who put darkness for light

and light for darkness,

who put bitter for sweet..."

"...and sweet for bitter."

Isaiah 5:20 (NIV)

At the same time, as followers of Christ, we are never to stop loving a person who has done wrong. Rather, we must show our love to them even more. To be rude, disrespectful, and unloving towards a person who has sinned or is living in sin is just as repulsive to God.

"Now that you have purified yourselves

by obeying the truth

so that you have sincere love

for each other,

love one another deeply,

from the heart."

1 Peter 1:22 (NIV)

Both of these sins, justifying a wrong and being unkind toward a wrong-doer, stem from a self-righteous attitude in the heart. People do these things to make themselves look and feel better, but they both are a mockery of God's truth, holiness, and love.