Ruminations

I don't have much time to wax philosophical, but I have enough to make at least a reasonably cogent post. Updates will be more frequent in the coming days/weeks/months due to the surplus of time that I now possess. :-D

In the past, I used to think that I could appreciate a dastardly fellow, though his deeds were utterly repugnant, as long as he were honest. You know, "He's quite a character, but at least he puts it all out there." To a certain extent, I can see the benefit of such behavior. At least people know whom to avoid. However, I contend that honesty (in this context) isn't really virtuous at all. To tear asunder the standard of good behavior is not worthy of laud. Rather, it is absolutely contemptible. Yet, this culture praises such cads and vilifies him who keeps his larceny under wraps. I am not arguing that hypocrisy is justifiable; a man who agrees that the law is righteous but hides his sin is, indeed, worthy of censure. Even so, the degree of his sin is lesser than him who is altogether unsensitized to his transgessions. Furthermore, he rails against all law and morality, challenging the very foundations of reasonable thought. As someone wise once said, "Hypocrisy is the homage that vice pays to virtue."

This reasoning is supported by Scripture:

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse" (Rom. 1:18-20).

In the context of this passage, it is implied that these sort of people are as far removed from the truth as one can be. Paul wrote, "Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones" (Rom. 1:26).

To those who trust in Jesus Christ: I adjure you to stand firm by approving only of things which are truly worthy of praise. The value system of the world is bent; it does not submit itself to the law of God, for it is not even capable of doing so.

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things" (Phil. 4:8).