April 24, 2024
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Alfard was a cherished member of the congregation in the church I served in Dripping Springs, Texas.
Alfard was a lifelong rancher. He was also a homebuilder, surveyor and store owner before he began a twenty-five-year career in law enforcement. He served as Sheriff of Hays County for eight years.
Alfard was the personification of a true Texas lawman. In his late eighties, he was still tall and lean, firm but humble, tough but kind and always with a ready smile.
He attended worship most Sundays and sometimes he would confess that he’d been out late the night before dancing.
One day I asked, “Alfard, how did you get into the ‘sheriffing’ business?”
He said he was talking with the old sheriff about becoming his deputy. The sheriff asked him some questions, told him a few things and handed him a badge. Alfard asked him if there was anything else he needed to know. The old sheriff looked him in the eye and said, “Well, you know the difference between right and wrong, don’t you?”
Alfard said, “I think so.”
The old sheriff smiled and said, “Well then, go get ‘em!”
Throughout his personal and professional life, Alfard remained steadfast in his commitment to righteousness. His life exemplified a deep understanding of right and wrong, rooted in his faith in God.
How did Alfard know the difference between right and wrong? As a lawman he swore to enforce the law of the land. He had to know the law in order to carry out that oath. He was a student of the law and he not only upheld it, he lived it.
As a Christian, he was a lifelong student of God’s law. Not only did he know the law of God and live the law of God, he grew to know God and to trust Him. He believed and had faith in God.
And more importantly, God knew Alfard.
The Bible says, “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth.” Psalm 34:16, NIV
The Bible also says,“Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.” Hosea 14:9, NIV
“You know the difference between right and wrong, don’t you?” That’s a question for all of us, all of the time.
We cannot always depend on the world to tell us the difference between right and wrong. Leo Tolstoy said, “Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it.” A friend once said the assumption that if enough people do something it can’t be wrong, gives us the illusion that right and wrong evolve. Actually, moral ambiguity is the result of ignorance or accommodation to evil.
We must seek divine guidance to discern right from wrong. We can get on our knees at any time and in every uncertain situation and go to the Lord in prayer. We can ask Him to help us discern right from wrong and to show us His right paths. We can trust that He will help us and have the confidence to act.
Ellsworth Kalas, one of my seminary professors and a hero of the faith, reminds us of the eternal struggle between right and wrong, and urges us to uphold righteousness in a world plagued by moral relativism. Kalas says, “We have to keep before the world that there is an issue – there is a right and there is a wrong. Everyone has a right to their opinion – but some opinions are damning and some are redeeming.”
REMEMBER & BELIEVE
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
In the meantime, go get 'em!
QUESTION
You know the difference between right and wrong, don't you?
PRAYER
Lord, as we walk this world, may Your Holy Spirit guide our steps and lead us in paths of righteousness. Help us to lean on You in times of uncertainty, trusting in Your unfailing love, mercy and grace.
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil and the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (NRSV)
God bless you!
Richard
Christ Worshipper | Disciple Maker | Hope Giver
Welcome to In the Meantime. I'm glad you're here! We are living in the time between Christ's ascension into heaven and His promised return to earth. In the Meantime is a collection of stories about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His presence, love, mercy and grace in my life. In the Meantime, Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!