Why do right? ∙∙

Why do right? ∙∙

So, for him, whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it is a sin. – James 4:17

Luke 12:47-48

 47 And a servant who knows what the master wants but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions will be severely punished.

 48 But someone who does not know and then does something wrong will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return, and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.

New Brighton, Minn., June 30, 2014 (UPI). The headline reads: Good Samaritan saves Minnesota man’s life by bending locked car door with bare hands. A 52-year-old Minnesota man bent a locked car door in half with his bare hands and pulled a man to safety after his car caught on fire on Sunday evening in New Brighton.

Robert Renning was on Interstate 35W around 6:30 PM when he noticed a burning car that he had just passed.

The driver of the car, Michael Johannes, could not unlock the electronic locks or open the power windows of his car. In response, Renning somehow managed to wedge his fingers into the vehicle’s door frame and proceeded to bend the locked door from the top down. Once he created an opening, Renning pulled Johannes to safety before he could incur serious injuries.

“He did an extraordinary deed, bending a locked car door in half of a burning car to extricate a trapped person,” Minnesota State Trooper Zachary Hill told WCCO. “I feel this man deserves any and all commendation for his extraordinary life-saving measure that kept another from burning alive.”

Renning humbly down-played his Renning modestly dismissed his heroic “Superman” moment. “Somebody was in trouble he said. ‘You’re supposed to help each out other.’”

The burnt-out car (Credit: Minnesota State Patrol/Facebook)

In most situations, the right thing to do is often intuitively obvious. Of course, sometimes we never really know what is right or best. However, putting that aside, focus on those times we know what is right to do. Do we take a risk and do it? Are you aware of the Father’s stance on doing right when you know what it is?

James 4:17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him, it is a sin.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father will never ask us to do something we cannot accomplish with His enablement.

Father I recognize my extreme limitations in many areas of my life. But I also acknowledge that You have entrusted me with precious spiritual treasures and responsibilities. Enable me to act wisely in Your service and complete my assignments.

INSIGHT

Not taking action when you are aware of the right thing to do can lead to significant consequences. The Father is always equitable and just in His judgments. The Lord Jesus Christ narrates a parable to illustrate this. A master had two servants to whom he assigned tasks before departing on a trip. Neither of them knew when he would be back.

Luke 12:47-48

 47 A servant who knows what the master wants but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions will be severely punished.

 48 But someone who does not know and then does something wrong will be punished only lightly. 

Luke 12:43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.

There is a built-in assumption here: whenever the master assigns a task, he also provides the wherewithal to succeed in carrying it out. The Father will never ask us to do something we cannot do with His enablement. “The servant who knows what to do and does not do it is more culpable than the one who does not do it because of ignorance” (Stein).

But there’s more. The more ability one has, the greater their responsibility becomes.

Luke 12:48 When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.

“Knowledge and privilege always bring responsibility. Sin is doubly sinful to those who knew better; failure is doubly blameworthy in those who had every chance to do well” (Barclay).

No one but the Father knows the day or the hour when any of any children of the King will meet Him in eternity.

Living in the 21st century, we’re constantly swept along by a rapid pace of life, juggling numerous challenges and responsibilities. Too often, our obligations are half done, put off, incomplete, or not even attempted. What are we, as children of the King, to do? The Lord Jesus Christ provides a perfect model. He came into the world with an itinerary planned in eternity past. He finished all His earthly assignments, and at the end, he said simply, “It is finished.”

How did He manage to do this? He was in perfect communication with the Father, praying daily for guidance and directions.

John 6:38 I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.

John 17:4 I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

Each of us also has an itinerary planned in eternity past. As we seek guidance from the Father, He will joyfully provide guidance, a daily “To-Do List.” Be prudent and reach out to Him every morning. He will lead and strengthen us as we walk with Him through life.

Colossians 1:9 We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.

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© Dr. H 2024