One of the common criticisms of the nations of Israel is that the people did “what was right in their own eyes” instead of following the law (Judges 17.6, Judges 21.25, etc.). We are seeing the same indulgence in self-centered morality in America today. Endless demonstrations, violent outbreaks and even state governors refusing to enforce federal law. It is this later disruption to American law that is focus today, and the accusation that Sanctuary Cities are not only illegal but dangerous to the rule of law, something that cannot be justified in any society despite the arguments made by proponents.

In my home state two issues are before Governor John Hickenlooper, who has flouted federal law with the legalization of marijuana and by making Colorado a sanctuary state. Hickenlooper argues that both issues are rightfully state concerns and should be regulated by the states rather than the federal government. This line of reasoning is wrong on two counts as moving illegal product across the US boarder and human trafficking both violate national security concerns putting these issues the federal government’s realm of authority. Besides this, even if the law changes and moves these two issues into state hands, the law today is still being violated.

This could cause the governor very real legal trouble, as he is not only disobeying the law but he is violating his oath of office, which states:

I do solemnly swear by the everliving God, that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Colorado, and faithfully perform the duties of the office of Governor upon which I am about to enter.

Frankly, I’m surprised that Governor Hickenlooper and Denver Mayor Hancock haven’t been brought up on charges already. All this is academic, however, and beyond our control. What does this mean to us?

Very few people start out in life wanting to be the next Saddam Hussein. Even Hussein didn’t think he was becoming the next Hitler. Yet evil is still done, because on some insanely depraved level even Saddam thought that building and using a human-sized wood chipper was the right thing to do. The truth is, most people take actions they can live with, and to live with those actions they have to build a moral framework that allows for it.

“All of a person’s ways seem right in his own eyes, but the Lord evaluates the heart.” Proverbs 21.2

This indicates that even though most people want to be good and to do right, without God’s law (or divine character) they will recast their morals into a framework that permits them to obtain what their heart desires. God’s people are different. Jesus said “I am the way”, meaning we are to follow his example. Jesus said, “I am the Truth”, meaning that we can evaluate the rightness or wrongness (or truth from lies) by comparing against God’s Word. When our morals are defined by God’s word and character we don’t descend into practicing evil.

The bottom line is pretty simple, don’t do what is right in your own eyes, do what is right in God’s. In order to do that you need to know God, and his word, and know him (and it) well.