DOING RIGHT WHEN THOSE AROUND YOU ARE DOING WRONG

PROCLAMATION

“And Abijah rested with his ancestors … Asa his son succeeded him as king … Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of The Lord his God.”  2 Chronicles 14:1-2 (NIV)

EXPLANATION
When Nadab son of Jeroboam became king of Israel, the northern tribes, and he did evil in the eyes of The Lord. (1 Kings 15:25-26)  Baasha killed Nadab and became king of Israel (1 Kings 15:27-28) and he also did evil in the eyes of The Lord following in the sinful ways of Jeroboam worshiping idols. (1 Kings 15:33-34)  Asa king of Judah, the southern tribes, was the only king during this period who did what was good and right, and he followed the ways of The Lord.

APPLICATION

It is very hard to do the right thing and follow The Word of God when all of the people around you are doing that which is wrong.  Standing alone and doing right is difficult when the crowd is doing that which is wrong.  Today we are bombarded with influences which encourage us to sin and to turn away from the teachings of The Word of God.  There are many negative worldly influences including political leaders, movie stars, television personalities, co-workers, and friends that can exert a lot of peer pressure on us to behave in an ungodly manner.  We need to read and study The Word of God, to stay “prayed up,” and to associate with and encourage believers who are also struggling to do the right thing in the face of pressure to do that which is wrong.  The Lord God did not say that it would be easy, but He said that He would be with us and never leave us. (1 Kings 8:57 and Hebrews 13:5)

DOING THE RIGHT THING WHEN OTHERS AROUND YOU ARE DOING WRONG

PROCLAMATION

“In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa became king of Judah … Asa did what was right in the eyes of The Lord …”  1 Kings 15:9-11 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

When Asa, son of Abijah, son of Rehoboam, son of Solomon, son of David, became king of Judah, he did that which was right in the eyes of The Lord.  In his old age, King Solomon let his wives lead him astray.  He worshiped other gods and did evil in the sight of The Lord. (1 Kings 11:1-6)  After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam became king and rejected of the advice of the elders of Israel which led to the division of Israel with only Judah following the house of David.  Jeroboam, who had rebelled against King Solomon (1 Kings 11:26-40) became king of the northern tribes of Israel. (1 Kings 12:20)  He made two golden calves for the people to worship. (1 Kings 12:26-33)  Abijah became the king of Judah and he committed all the sins which his father Rehoboam had committed. (1 Kings 15:1-3)  When Abijah died his son Asa became king of Judah and he did that which was right in the eyes of The Lord. (1 Kings 15:9-11)  Nadab son of Jeroboam became king of Israel, the northern tribes, and he did evil in the eyes of The Lord. (1 Kings 15:25-26)  Baasha killed Nadab and became king of Israel (1 Kings 15:27-28) and he did evil in the eyes of The Lord following in the sinful ways of Jeroboam worshiping idols. (1 Kings 15:33-34)  Asa was the only king during this period who did right and followed the ways of The Lord.

APPLICATION

It is very hard to do the right thing and follow The Word of God when all of the people around you are doing that which is wrong.  Standing alone and doing right is difficult when the crowd is doing that which is wrong.  Today we are bombarded with influences which encourage us to sin and to turn away from the teachings of The Word of God.  There are many negative worldly influences including political leaders, movie stars, television personalities, co-workers, and friends that can exert a lot of peer pressure on us to behave in an ungodly manner.  We need to read and study The Word of God, to stay “prayed up,” and to associate with and encourage believers who are also struggling to do the right thing in the face of pressure to do that which is wrong.  The Lord God did not say that it would be easy, but He said that He would be with us and never leave us. (1 Kings 8:57 and Hebrews 13:5)

JUST BECAUSE WE CAN DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE SHOULD

PROCLAMATION

“Then David went out of the cave and … He said to Saul … This day …The Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave … look at this piece of your robe in my hand!  I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you … I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life.”  1 Samuel 24:8-11 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

As David fled from King Saul, he went into the wilderness in the hills of Ziph. (1 Samuel 23:13-14)  Saul continued to pursue David until a messenger told him that the Philistines were raiding his land. (1 Samuel 23:26-28)  Saul broke off his pursuit of David to battle the Philistines, but when he had defeated them, he returned to seek after David. (1 Samuel 24:1-2)  Saul went into a cave to relieve himself.  David and his men were far back in this deep cave and Saul did not see them.  David crept up behind Saul and cut off the corner of his robe, then crept back to his men. (1 Samuel 24:3-4)  After Saul left the cave, David came out of the cave and called to him.  He told him that some of his men had urged that to kill him, but he refused to do so. (1 Samuel 24:10)  David told Saul that he could have killed him, but he didn’t do it.

APPLICATION

Just because we have the ability, and the opportunity, and the desire to do something, that does not mean that we should do it, especially if we know that it is wrong or sinful.  When we know better, then we should do better.  We have the God given ability to choose between right and wrong.   We need to pray for God’s guidance and direction before we act or speak.  The steps of a good man are ordered by The Lord God. (Psalm 37:23)

WHEN WE KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT WE SHOULD DO IT

Proclamation:

"That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows.  But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows.  From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."  Luke 12:47-48 (NIV)

Explanation:
Under the influence and guidance of The Holy Spirit of God, Luke, the physician and frequent travelling companion of the Apostle Paul, recorded these words of Jesus, The Christ.  Although he was not one of those who walked with Christ, Luke had access to the eye witnesses and to their writings from which to draw upon.  Here he wrote that after Jesus had spoken to His disciples the parable of the faithful and wise manager, (Luke 12:36-44) He then told them about the servant whom the master left in charge of the other servants.  This servant beat the servants under his charge then he got drunk. (Luke 12:45-46)  He then goes on to say that the servant who knows the master’s will and does not follow, it will be punished.  The two main points were, first, those who do wrong knowingly will be punished more severely.  The second point was that those who are given much material goods or responsibility, more will be required of them than those who are given less or given little.

Application:
Those to whom much is given, much will be required.  We are blessed in order to be a blessing to others.  People in positions of responsibility, especially those who have responsibility for other people, will be held to a higher standard of accountability.  Those who know that which is right, and do otherwise, will be punished more severely than those who do wrong in ignorance.  To me this also implies that those who know the right thing to do but do nothing instead will also be punished more severely.  When we know what is right, we ought to do it.  With the knowledge of The Word of God comes responsibility to share it with others, and with that knowledge also comes the greater expectation that we will live by it.  To know The Word of God and not share it with others, and to not live by it, will subject us to a greater punishment than those who do wrong without the knowledge of God’s Word.  When we know better, we ought to do better.  

Do What Is Right Just And Fair

"The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young; let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance; for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.  The fear of The LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."  Proverbs 1:1-7 (NIV)

King Solomon was the wisest man ever (2 Chronicles 1:11-12), and he chose to share his wisdom with the people within the thirty-one proverbs which he wrote. The purpose of the proverbs was to help the people gain wisdom and discipline, to gain understanding and a prudent life. To help them do that which was right, just, and fair as they went about their daily activities and in their dealings with others.

Solomon prayed for wisdom and knowledge so that he could do a good job as king leading God's people. (2 Chronicles 1:10)  He wanted to help the people by giving them some good examples and words of wisdom to live by.  We could learn a lot from Solomon, not only from the proverbs which he wrote, but also from his prayerful concern for others and his purpose for sharing.  His motives had nothing to do with personal gain.  He had a sincere love for others.  We need to pray that we would develop that type of love for others.  Jesus said that we should love others as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31, and Luke 10:27)  If we love The Lord, then we should love and help His people.  To truly love and live a Godly life, we must do things which benefit someone other than ourselves.  As we treat others, we are doing that to God.  (Matthew 25:40)  We should do that which is right, just, and fair, and that which is a blessing to others.  Solomon was blessed beyond what he asked for because his purpose was to be a blessing to others.  He who blesses others shall himself also be blessed. (Proverbs 11:25)

Doing What Is Right

"All a man's ways seem right to him, but The Lord weighs the heart.  To do what is right and just is more acceptable to The Lord than sacrifice."  Proverbs 21:2-3 (NIV)

King Solomon said that everything that a man does seems right to him, but The Lord judges motives and intent as well as words and actions.  Doing the right thing is only acceptable to The Lord when the heart of the person is sincere, not when one goes through the motions without believing.

Doing the right thing for the wrong reason does not impress God.  Going through the motions of doing good, including going to church and worshipping, is not acceptable to God if one's heart is not right.  If one does not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and accept Him as their personal savior, then everything else that is done is a waste of time.

Blessed Is The Man Who Does What Is Right

"This is what The Lord says: 'Maintain justice and do what is right, for My salvation is close at hand and My righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil." Isaiah 56:1-2 (NIV)

After inviting the people to become suffering servants and heirs to abundant life, the Prophet Isaiah tells them to do what is right. He tells them that The Lord says blessed is the man maintains justice, does what is right, keeps the Sabbath, and keeps from doing evil.

We are to do what is right and honor The Lord on His day each week. Blessed are the Jews and Gentiles (Isaiah 55:6 & 56:3) who are willing to love, serve, and obey The Lord, keep the Sabbath, and turn away from evil. According to the English Study Bible (ESV), keeping the Sabbath is a covenant sign that represents a lifestyle of devotion to The Lord. True observance of the Sabbath entails not only refraining from work but also refraining from doing any evil. Every Sunday we should rededicate ourselves to The Lord and renew our commitment to love Him more and serve Him better. Blessed is the man who does this.