In His Name Devotionals
DOING THE RIGHT THING
In His Name Devotionals
DOING THE RIGHT THING
“And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, And sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.” (Matthew 22:1-4)
“If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and looks like a duck, it’s a duck.” Have you ever heard someone use this expression to make a point? If something has all the characteristics, it is probably what it appears to be.
Does this apply to Christians? Is it possible to walk, talk and give the appearance that we want to please God, but be more interested in pleasing self and others? Jesus gives an example of how outward appearance can be deceiving. When speaking to the crowds and His disciples, Jesus said, “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the Scriptures. So practice and obey whatever they say to you, but don’t follow their example, for they don’t practice what they teach” (Matthew 23:1-4). As we read further in this chapter, Jesus tells us that the Pharisees live to satisfy their own selfish desires and to impress others.
We need to be very careful that we do not get so involved in doing things right that we do not do the right thing. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives (Proverbs 16:2). There are many examples of this truth in the Bible. An outstanding example is found in Luke 21:1-4, where a poor widow put only two mites in the collection box. Jesus said she had put in more than anyone, because her heart (motive) was right.
Paul, in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians, tells us to have a sincere heart before God and no longer live to please ourselves, but live to please Christ who died for us (5:11-15).
Individuals, who love God, live for the benefit of others. They are diligent in their effort to become like Christ.
