Right Actions
“Abstain from every form of evil.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:22
There was a man who used to be a drunkard. He cleaned up and became a Christian. However, later in life, he found himself around some folks who were not on the same moral high ground. For a while, that was okay. He still chose to be around them. It was not a wrong action, but not the best one for success for him. Then he found himself in bars again, but he didn’t drink, saying, “I will be fine if I drink water. I’m not drinking alcohol.” Again, not a wrong action, but not the best one for success. He even made biblical excuses like, “Jesus ate and drank with sinners.” Before long, you would see him with dark sunglasses on, tired from the night before, moving slow and being lethargic. Then it all came crashing down one day. How did he get there? One choice at a time.
I was asked about a sermon or teaching on the subject of drinking. To be specific, I was asked how I would go about teaching or preaching on it. I replied, “I think it is far better to teach where to be, what to be doing, and how to live than how to be in a bad place and be above reproach.” In context, I was saying it is better not to be at a party or an event with drinking than to go through all the things you need to do in those places to stay above reproach, like a clear glass, not being around drunks, etc. Now there are times it cannot be avoided; well, some argue this is the case, where such precautions are needed. It is better, however, to just not be there. It is right, without a doubt, to be serving, studying, and growing in the Lord and with those who are, rather than in the other place and in that other situation. It is the right action.
The reality is that we often find ourselves in a situation where there is a choice in what we do. Conscience will often play a role in what we choose. The scriptures should always be our standard. However, I may be able to go and speak with an erring brother with little worry about my own failure, whereas you cannot be in that place and in that situation. Just like the Christian above. I could walk into a bar and plead with an erring brother to leave, with no thought of drinking. He could not. I would have no issue with standing my ground on the poor ideas that would come from the same group he was in. He did. However, there are other situations I would be just like him. So would you. We are all vulnerable. We are all tempted. We all must be wise “considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1).
Thank God for the second law of forgiveness. There are many things you can do in any given situation. Only one of them has the best outcome for you. That is the right action. There are the right actions and all the rest. Some seem good and may work in a pinch, but they don’t help you in the long run. Focus on the right actions that create success in Christ. Keep in mind the things to avoid, but treat them like a sticky note. It’s the proper actions, when put together, that turn life into a sweet melody.
- Steve Johnson
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