At the time of this writing, a helpless disabled woman lies in a Florida hospice dying of starvation and dehydration. State and federal judges are using the "Law" to deny her life-sustaining sustenance. It’s significant that those who have led the fight to spare her life by reinserting the feeding tube are "people of faith" who profess Christianity and are governed by Biblical authority and ethics. Which side is more just, right or fair?

Truly we are in the midst of a cultural war. In my lifetime, there has never been more bitter divisiveness over ethics and morality than now. What about Creation vs. Evolution? Should only evolution be taught in our public schools or universities? Why such a one-sided approach? And what about the Sanctity of Life? Why are most schools and colleges slanted toward favoring abortion and opposing capital punishment? Is that just or fair? And how about the Sanctity of Marriage? Most in the secular media are shamelessly promoting same-sex marriage (an oxymoron) while charging those who believe in the Biblical, traditional family with intolerance and bigotry. Is that just, equitable or fair?

The Bible records a particular group of people who were especially "fair-minded". They were Jews that Paul and Silas found in a synagogue in Berea. They are described thus in Acts 17:11 - "These were more Fair-minded than those in Thessalonica..." Then we’re told (in verses 11 & 12) three reasons why:

1) They Received the Scriptures Readily - ..."They received the Word with all readiness"... (v. 11b). Many people today will not even allow the Bible to be discussed in their presence. They are totally close-minded to the time-tested, sacred Scriptures. They want the Ten Commandments removed from the public square and consciousness. Is this reflecting tolerance and diversity? Is this fair-mindedness? I think not.

2) They Researched the Scriptures Regularly - ..."(They) searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so"... (v. 11c). Instead of ignoring or discarding God’s Word, they carefully studied it with an open mind, seeing if held up to objective logic and scrutiny. How different from the politically correct crowd today. Most who want to trash the Ten Commandments couldn’t name half of them. Most who criticize the Bible have never read it through, let alone seriously and sincerely studied it. Is this fair-mindedness? I think not.

3) They Responded to the Scriptures Reasonably - ..."Therefore many of them believed"... (v. 12a). When they open-mindedly received the Word, and thoroughly researched the Word, then they personally responded to the Word, believing in the Gospel message concerning Jesus Christ. Their mental fair-mindedness led to personal faith which resulted in spiritual freedom. Jesus said (in John 8:32) "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free". You see, there is a logical link between fair-mindedness, faith and freedom.

I want to encourage you NOT to be like the Berating politically-correct crowd who are close-minded to biblical truth. Instead be like the Berean spiritually-correct group who are fair-minded enough to receive, research and respond to the truth. Remember and receive the words of the master-teacher who said, "I am the way, the Truth and the life; no one comes unto the Father except through Me" (John 14:6), and ... "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed". (John 8:36)