DOING THE RIGHT THING

     It is amazing how one can go through life and never hear a popular saying uttered or a word used in the course of a conversation.  Then once sayings or a word are spoken, it seems you hear it repeatedly from that time on.  One saying that comes to mind is, "It isn't hard to know what the right thing to do is, the hard part is doing it."  That may not be the exact quote but it's close, and you may have heard it spoken in other ways.  But it is true.
     We were all raised, or are being raised, to know the difference between right and wrong.  Our parents were hoping to teach us how to be honest in all things and always seek to do the right thing.  Often times the right thing can be known and still not be done.  For instance, how many of us who are possessors of a driver's license don't know to pull over or off the road when an emergency vehicle is approaching from the rear.  Yet while driving this past week no less than two state patrolman were driving with lights flashing and even a siren blaring, only to have a vehicle refuse to move over and let them pass.  Lives may have been in danger but it mattered not to this particular motorist.
     I have no doubt this motorist knew the right thing to do.  It just wasn't done.  We are much the same way in our walk with the Lord.  Israel was told by God, "And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers" (Deut. 6:18).  When the Lord speaks of doing that which is right and good, the reference is to the commandments that Israel had received from God.  Israel's claim to any land promised by the Lord was based on their obedience to His word.
     With that in mind, how many of us are struggling daily with choices we need to make?  And why are those choices so difficult? For the most part we know what the right thing is to do, we just seem to be having trouble doing it.  We all struggle with the weakness of the flesh in certain areas of life, but the truth is we know what God desires for us and we know what is the right thing to do based on His teachings. 
     Amos spoke of heathen nations who did not know what was right for they were not taught the word of God (Amos 3:10).  If parents are upholding their God given responsibility then children should be learning what God's word says concerning them.  What are the right things to do?  Simply read Philippians 4:8 and you will be given a good list based on divine instruction.  While there may be areas where our knowledge is lacking, we can still learn and grow as we come into contact with that knowledge.
     If we want to pursue after what is right, then our heart must be right with God.  We don't need to live our lives in order to please men.  We should desire to live in such a way so our life is pleasing to God.  That above all else is the right thing to do.  Rodger