Proverbs 29.27
“An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.”
The godly and the ungodly take different paths. They see and approach life very differently. Because of that, they are an “abomination” to each other. The word used is the Hebrew ebah, which means something that is deeply offensive. Scripture uses this word to describe those who depart from God’s standards. Often the word is used for more grievous sins, like idolatry and child sacrifice.
What the verse is saying is that there is a radical and serious difference between those who desire to follow God’s standards and those who do not. Godly people seek to do what is right; unjust people seek to do what they want. Godly people live by standards that are given by God; unjust people live by standards created by self and promoted by popular culture. Godly people trust God; unjust people reject God.
There will always be a radical distinction between the righteous and the wicked. There will also be serious tension with regards to the way each chooses to live. That is the message that is given in this proverb.
When it comes to matters of preference, there should be flexibility. People with different styles and preferences can and should be along. But when it comes to matters of principle, there can be no compromise. Morality isn’t flexible. We cannot and should not “get along” with people who follow an immoral path.
It should be noted that the constant effort made by some contemporary churches to make the gospel inoffensive is foolish and silly. We can and should be gracious and kind in how we communicate the gospel, but to make it inoffensive to the wicked is impossible.
There will always be the offense of the cross of Christ. There will always be the offense of God asserting that He is Lord and is absolutely right on moral matters and all others he touches upon, as well. Thus the constant effort to make Christianity inoffensive is a fool’s pursuit.
Our mission remains clear and unchanged: Trust and obey God, speak the truth in love, do the work.
