Do you know anyone who likes to be wrong? They simply embrace being wrong for some strange reason? Probably not. Most people prefer to be right. They like to be right in knowing things and they like to do right things. Often, when trying to be and do right, we find ourselves in a battle. We ask this question, “What’s the right thing?”
Well, if you are a follower of Jesus, here’s some great news. The Bible teaches us about right and wrong. It is full of dos & don’ts, precepts, principles and guiding wisdom. Followed closely, you can learn what the right things are and then do those right things. Conversely, you can also learn what not to do.
However, does doing the right things make you right? Is there more to it?
Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
1 John 3:7
Does this verse in 1 John say that whomever does the right thing is thereby right, just like Jesus is right? It seems to, but there is more to it. The right actions do point to a person being right, like Jesus. However, being like Jesus means doing the right thing for the right reasons.
This is an important, because without this distinction we could all just point to our actions (the right ones) and say, “See. I’m living rightly” (or righteously). “See, I’m like Jesus.”
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.
Proverbs 21:2
The why of our actions determines our righteousness. It’s not just doing all the right things. It’s about so much more. Doing right things like Jesus means doing those things for the right reason.
Not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart
Ephesians 6:6
So, let us do the right things for the right reasons. Not so we can tell others to witness our good, right actions, but so God will see the purity of our hearts. Thus, the effectiveness of those right actions will be multiplied in God’s service. Again, not for our glory, but for the honor and glory of God!
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