FIX IT!

9^th JANUARY 2020

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

Everyone has a responsibility towards another to extend a helping hand or to lift up the other in times of distress. We ought to be our brother’s keeper and to be there for each other in times of trouble. In this wise, therefore, the story of the good Samaritan becomes relevant as a nurturing balm for our spiritual growth. As Christians however, your responsibility towards your neighbor becomes even greater for the reason that you have chosen to become a servant of the Lord. Unfortunately, knowing what these responsibilities are, has always been a difficult process. For instance, if each person, or a believer for that matter, go out fully to restore peace in place of war, then our world will be a peaceful and harmonious environment. Therefore, to fix what is not right, and to make it become right is the greatest responsibility of all humans. Nevertheless, there are things we must do always; things that please and glorify God and bring our fellowmen into the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must strive at all times to glorify God in the things that we do. Some people spend a whole day complaining about what is wrong in society, without offering any solution whatsoever to the numerous problems recounted by them!  That is not right. What makes the world to go round is our positive contribution to our society and families in times of need. Therefore, rather than curse the darkness, why not simply light a candle! Today’s word says that whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits a sin. But how do we know if we are doing the right thing? So many people do not have a sense of good judgment. But we can know if what we are doing is right if our action is serving the greatest needs of others and not to gratify our own flesh (Galatians 5:16) Further to that, the scriptures says in James 2:8, “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right” Therefore, the guiding principle at all times is whether your action is serving the generality of the people, not just to gratify your ego and flesh! The next question probably could be, why do I have to be good anyway? The answer is that you have to be good for the sake of God’s love, and for your own good. Helping to release your neighbor from distress is to set yourself free from future distress! Spiritually, there is no basic difference between what you do to others and what you do to yourself! Both are the same! Whatever you do to others, that you have done to God, and to yourself, for you reap basically what you have done to others! Although we may hate sin and want to do the right thing, we often fall short because of our sinful nature. We all genuinely struggle with sin, but God is faithful to forgive us. We must continue to make war with sin as we focus on doing what is right (Romans 7:19)

PRAYER

Father in the name of Jesus Christ, I ask that you melt my heart of stone and convert the same to a heart of flesh. Grant me the courage to fix the wrong in the life of others. That by so doing, I may truly become your saint for good works. Thank you, father, AMEN.

FURTHER READING: Matthew 5:42; 1 Corinthians 10:31