Doing the Right Thing

Sometimes doing the right thing is easier said than done. Yet regardless of how we may feel about it, it is always better to do the right thing than to leave it undone.

Awhile back we went to rent a video, but when we checked out we were told that we had a late fee for two other movies that were rented nearly a year and a half ago. I told the clerk I didn’t want the movie and would do business elsewhere. As we got into the van Susie said, “We should at least pay the late fee,” so I turned around and paid the $9 I didn’t want to pay and left again—this time never to return again.

[12] What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. [13] That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.
Philippians 2:12-13 (MsgB)

Paul encourages the Philippians to continue to work out their salvation with the same obedience they had when he was with them. Yet the desire and power to do the right thing was not just something they would have to produce on their own. Paul tells them that the ‘want to’ and ‘ability’ to do the right thing comes from God who is at work within them. Underline this in your mind because this is the second time Paul has mentioned the work of God within our lives, so it must be important! (See 1:6).

It’s like our trip to the movie store. Had I been by myself I most likely would not have paid the late fee, and I would have felt justified in not doing so. When Susie nudged me in the right direction I paid it without arguing with her.

But why did I pay the fine? I cooperated with the Spirit of God working quietly within my life to do the right thing—even when I didn’t feel like it. The more we work together with God the easier it is to continue to live a life of obedience to His word.
What do you need to do that you don’t want too? Let God help you do the right thing, and remember when you do it to smile, because God is smiling back at you!