DO WHAT IS RIGHT

“If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning. … We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself.” Romans 14:23b, 15:1b-3a NLT

       Scripture is very clear regarding most of the issues of life, but what of those things on which the Bible is silent?  We should then follow our conscience. Our conscience is our sense of what is morally right and wrong.  It is my belief that it is in each created being.   We have certain convictions regarding particular actions that we should not take or events we should not participate in. Based on what we know and what we’ve been taught throughout our life, we know what is inherently right or wrong.  Falling back on Paul’s argument to the Corinthian believers who felt their spiritual freedom allowed them to do whatever pleased them, not all things are constructive or beneficial for us. ⁽¹⁾ 

       If we find it difficult to know and do the right thing, how can we be a positive, godly example to those believers who may be weaker in the faith than us?  We must think of others when we act and react to daily situations for if we sin we have contributed to the potential fall of a brother or sister in Christ.  As scripture declares, “even Christ didn’t live to please Himself”, so what makes us think we can simply do as we please in spite of scriptural teachings to the contrary?

       We are to be encouragers and edifiers to those we encounter.  To edify is to encourage spiritual improvement when taken in a Biblical sense.  To blend into the fabric of society without having any direct or indirect impact in a positive sense is to waste valuable time when you could be a blessing to those around you.  To quote Rick Warren’s book “The Purpose Driven Life”, “It’s not all about you.”  It’s not.  It’s all about God and what He wants you to do for Him.  It’s about the well being of your brethren.  As much as you are able with the help and thru the power of the Holy Spirit within you, be a force for good in Jesus name.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resource:  The Life Application Study Bible – New Living Translation – Tyndale Publishing.

Definitions taken from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language.

⁽¹⁾ 1 Corinthians 10:23 New Living Translation (NLT)

You say, “I am allowed to do anything”[a]—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial.

1 Corinthians 6:12New Living Translation (NLT)

You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.