“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” – Judges 17:6
These words, which bracket the depressing latter parts of the book of Judges, describe one of the lowest times in ancient Israel’s national history morally, spiritually, and politically. Though God was their king, the people recognized no moral or legal authority other them themselves, doing as they pleased. Their worship was corrupt, their culture was decadent, and their nation was violent, chaotic, and fractured.
If this sounds more than a bit like our present moment, that’s no mere coincidence! Values like integrity, love, concern for the greater good, and self-sacrifice seem to be in short supply in 2021. That isn’t limited to one party, group, movement, or perspective. The radical elevation of self over others seems to increasingly describe people at all points of the political, social, and religious spectrum.
While distressing in everyone, such an attitude of radical self-centeredness is particularly reprehensible in Christians. Why? Because we have a King! As Christians, we don’t get to do what’s right in our own eyes. We must do what Christ has called us to do, which is to follow Him. We’re called to humble peacemaking, sacrificial love, bold sharing of the Gospel, voluntary setting down of our Christian liberty for the good and conscience of other believers, winsome defense of God’s design for human flourishing, compassionate care for those in need, and the practice of biblical justice. If that isn’t what a Christian is doing, then he or she may well be doing what is right in his or her own eyes!