Scripture: Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us. We’re sure that we have a good conscience, and we want to do the right thing in every way.
Thought for the Day: I know that some people may disagree with me on this, but I believe (or want to believe) that most people do what they do because they believe it is the right thing. Now believing it is the right thing and it being the right thing are often two very different things. We may not be taking notice of our insecurities or fears, and so we make a choice that appears admirable on the surface, but it is not…at all. In fact, it is harmful to many others. Blind passion for our an ideology can have us missing the shortcomings or even damaging aspects of the ideology (and no ideology is perfect). Or maybe your catalyst for doing what you’re doing is because it’s always worked before. This can be true, but things can change, and there are times when long held traditions no longer produce the outcome they once did. For the author of Hebrews, the 13th chapter has a long list of expectations – Love each other like family, don’t commit adultery, don’t worship money, and imitate the faith of the leaders. These are all important, but how the church has defined love throughout its life has changed dramatically. Not just the how, but the who we are to love. How we understand what is right is always changing, not because rightness changes, but because the context or perspective changes. Not to over use the example, but there was a time when you’d be hard pressed to find a Christian who was opposed to slavery. It was a good Christian value. Today, most all Christians worldwide would be appalled at the thought of a human being was enslaved. I believe we are all still growing in what it means to follow Jesus, and doing the right thing is both a personal and communal responsibility…and even then, we must be open to the Spirit who provides us a good conscience – the Greek word here describes the soul’s capacity to distinguish the moral good.
Prayer: O Spirit of the Living God, provide me with a faithful heart along with faithful partners who will help me to discern and ask the difficult questions. Where necessary, give me the courage to change for the sake of doing the right thing. Amen.
TONIGHT
