“Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the crowd only roared the louder, “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:23)

I guess in America majority rules. That only seems fair, right? How could a whole bunch of people believing the same thing be wrong? I mean, look at the people in Christ’s day who voted against Him, or the Germans in World War II who voted for Hitler, or the pro-abortionists who voted against unborn children?

Wait, those are probably bad examples…

Could it be that going with majority opinion is many times just a really stupid thing to do?

The following story brings out this point very well:

A meeting was held. A quorum was present. The resolution was made in accordance to the rules of order. It was seconded, passionately discussed and duly voted on. The result, it was democratically decided by a small majority that sin didn’t matter anymore. Feeling smug, those who voted for the resolution felt free to accept and celebrate the practice of sin.

Since it was a majority decision, those who felt obliged to speak out were duly chastised for their narrow-minded thinking and unwillingness to follow the majority. It seemed the only sin was now speaking out against the majority vote.

The resolution made many feel good.

They didn’t want to be seen by others as not nice for not accepting lifestyles once considered sinful. In fact many could now openly practice what had once been done in the dark and not worry about what God would say. After all, a vote had been taken. God was patient. He wasn’t surprised by the turn of events; in fact He knew it would happen He had seen it happen before. His people would often choose not to follow. It was like Israel in the days of the Judges:

In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. (Judges 17:6 NIV)

It wasn’t just an Old Testament “thing”, it was still important under the new covenant as well. Time passed and people eventually ended up standing in front of the judgment seat. With shock and horror they saw their sins revealed.

“It can’t be,” they cried “we voted and decided sin didn’t matter anymore.”

The judge simply shook His head sadly. “Where on earth did you ever get the idea this was a democracy? I am sovereign and I do not change!”

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8 NIV)

As our world becomes more and more “tolerant” we accept more and more sin believing it will not matter. We’re wrong, it still matters and still angers God. If He truly is Lord, where on earth did we ever get the idea that we can out vote Him? To paraphrase a well-known Bible teacher, the whole idea is from the pit of Hell and smells like smoke. What have you allowed into your life that is displeasing to God? Perhaps it is time to give it up again.