By STEPHEN HAMMOND
Pastor, Bethel Community Church, Los Banos
There seems to be a lot of turmoil taking place all around us. From wars on foreign soil to moral battles in our country. Even locally there is chaos and flaring tempers that divide and damage our city.
I encourage everyone to remain focused, and let’s do our best to simply do what is right and do it in the right way. There are so many issues in our society that arise to divide us and will eventually lead to our downfall.
It is time that each of us look on the inside to check our own heart and ask ourselves the simple question, “Am I doing what is right in the eyes of God and other people?”
The Apostle Paul encourages the Christians in Rome to be careful to do what is right and to go to great lengths to live at peace with everyone. “Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:17-18, NIV
This principle applies to the people we disagree with as well as the people that we agree with. I try to look beyond the outward appearance of people’s actions and words and look upon their heart to see if it is in the right place or not. I would hope others do that as well.
Paul also writes to the Christians in Corinth to do what is right not only before people but before God as well. “For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.” 2 Corinthians 8:21, NIV
Sometimes it is very difficult to do what is right. The decision to do what is right can even cause us pain sometimes. But it is always worth it. There are people risking their lives today to do what is right. Stand firm on this principle no matter what others say about you.
How can we define what is right? We need a document or a measuring stick to guide us. Government looks to our Constitution. Christians should look to the Bible, the Word of God. May it shape our world view, our actions and our words.
It is time to take a step back from the issues at hand and ask this simple question, Am I doing what is right before God and people?
