Is “doing your own thing” really wise?

Gal 1:6-9 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

A news item from Los Angeles shows that Judge Yankwich had such a case as to make judges want to scream. Luther Wright and Hermann Rongg appeared before Federal Judge Leon R. Yankwich, each claiming ownership of a patent. The judge attempted to moderate the dispute, declaring: “Well, one of you must be wrong.” “That’s right,” declared Rongg, “I’m Rongg, and I’m right.” Then Wright interrupted: “He’s wrong, your honor, I’m right and Rongg is wrong.” But largely upon the strength of a letter Wright wrote Rongg, Judge Yankwich at length terminated the Wright-Rongg dispute by ruling: “Paradoxical though it may appear in this case Wright is wrong and Rongg is right, and I so enter judgment.”!    

In this case, the difference between right and wrong can be confusing, however, in life, the stakes are too high to take a chance! 

Paul, endeavoring to encourage a young Church to stick to the Truth, communicates a very important principle that applies in all ages. Truth is not subjective…it is objective, even if we don’t like it! I grew up in an era where the slogan “do your own thing” was the mantra of the day. In life there is a lot of room to “do your own thing” that was set up by God…it is called “liberty.” Scripture points out that some honor one day over another, or feel that eating certain foods are wrong. God’s standard for that is that each person needs to be sure their conscience agrees with their action. That is a lot of freedom. Still, there are certain Truths that are non-negotiable in Scripture. If you are honest each one is clear, like there is only one true God, there is only ONE way to enter a relationship with Him…through His Son Jesus Christ, salvation is based on His grace and received through faith, our works can accomplish nothing as far as eternal destination. This standard comes from the Scriptures which many, including myself, embrace. Everyone has a right to disagree with the Scriptures as the standard, another God-given right. This is very important to understand fully because it will impact a person’s eternal destiny. 

The reason this is so important is today so many “famous” people have set themselves up as “authorities” over everything. Religion, environment, relationships, politics…the list never ends. Some very important issues need to be considered here.  

I love the arts and admire those that are so gifted at it, but I fail to understand why someone that is very gifted in “acting” to be something they are not can be so arrogant and self-absorbed that they would demand I drop a standard of Truth to accept their standard? I did not create the Scriptures, and even have a difficult time accepting what they say at times, but have committed myself to their authority. Scripture is not my custom made standard…why should I adopt “Joe Hollywood’s” standard? Based on how messed up most of their lives are, their standard fails!  Second, what does it say about someone that thinks the whole world cares what they think about life’s most important issues? If you have a problem with what I believe, take it up with the One that Authored the Scriptures. If you think the Scriptures are just a fairy tale, then think me foolish and move on…why get soooooo angry and hostile about it? Do you hate people that believe in Bigfoot?  Grow up! 

Lastly, all this freedom God gives is yours, and you are free to believe whatever you want and free to DO anything you want except one thing…escape the consequences.

The So What: Where do your beliefs come from? Why? Have you studied the Scriptures to see what you think of them? Why or why not? Can ignoring the Truth help you avoid the consequences? What do you believe happens to you after your body dies? If you exist eternally, how important is that question? If you are wrong, what is the cost? 

1 Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 590). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.