CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 705

“The Right Thing”

1 Cor 10:23a (ESV) “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

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A CNN survey indicated that 68 percent of Americans nationwide are opposed to the proposed Islamic Center construction near the World Trade Center terrorist attack. New York Gov. David Paterson responded: “What that tells me is the wounds of 9/11 haven’t healed…there is no local, state or federal statute that prevents the construction of the facility.” The Islamic Center backers do indeed have the right to build their center near the site where the World Trade Center stood. But is it the right thing to do? God’s Word is clear in directing us how to proceed when “our rights” conflict with the “right thing” to do.

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. – 1 Cor 10:23b

It is clear that the right thing to do in this situation is to not build the Islamic Center so near the site where the terrorist attack was perpetrated in the name of Islam. While it is easy for us to apply this Scriptural truth to others, it is more difficult for us to take its mantle upon ourselves.

You may have the right to engage in activities that endanger your life such as some extreme sports, but as a parent of young children who depend upon you, is it the right thing to do?

You may have the right to drink alcoholic beverages, but in the presence of friends or family who are recovering alcoholics, is it the right thing to do?

You may have the right to be entertained by all kinds of movies, music and magazines, regardless of the language, violence and sexual content, but is it the right thing to do in the presence of impressionable children and adults, including yourself?

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. – 1 Cor 8:9

You may have the right to eat all the junk and unhealthy foods that you like. But is it the right thing to do with respect to the impact to your health and longevity as well as the lifestyle habit taught to others?

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything. – 1 Cor 6:12

Morality has to do with the right and wrongness of human actions relative to how those actions impact yourself, others, or society as a whole. Note the reference to the impact to yourself in the definition. As Christians we have an obligation to care for our physical and spiritual being as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Although there may be no others impacted by the exercise of your right to do something, you cannot escape the fact that such actions affect you and your relationship with Jesus Christ.

We have the right to choose how to respond and how to act. The Bible and guidance by the Holy Spirit instruct us in the ‘right thing’. Choose wisely.

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

Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – 1 Cor 10:31

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God