Do The Right Thing In Everything You Do & Be Blessed (Or Else…)

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.’ (Genesis 4:7)

Genesis 4:7 is the instructions given by God to Cain, after God accepted Abel’s sacrifice of his firstborn animals (a sacrifice of life, through the drawing of blood and offering the fat portion to God) over Cain’s sacrifice of his grown produce (a vegetable and grain sacrifice of food that sustains life).  Both sacrifices are intriguing and thoughtful in intent; however, Abel’s sacrifice, of the two, was more profound as it cost Abel the life of a choice animal, one that would not longer produce either food or offspring. 

Cain was very disappointed and angered over God’s choice; the Bible does not say his sacrifice was rejected, only that Abel’s sacrifice was more favored.  God provided to Cain not to react poorly to this, and not to react in jealousy or disdain.  As we know, though, Cain did so by killing his brother, which sent Cain into exile away from his family, having to roam and scrounge for his food (along with his family, marrying one of his unnamed sisters) in the ‘Land of Nod’ for his sin.

Both brothers had hobbies, Abel’s was raising livestock while Cain’s was raising crops.  Today we have other hobbies that we enjoyed and endeavor in, or causes that we love to spend our money or time for.  Sometimes, like Cain, we can get so involved in our passion of a hobby or a cause, we lose sight of God and being Righteous. 

We can also focus on other worldly things, like our money.  I recently sold my Jeep to my neighbor for a pittance of what it cost me, and what it was worth.  It ended up being a blessing for not only me (I no longer had the burden or concern of maintaining it), but it helped my neighbor salvage and enjoy a weekend of ‘Jeeping’ with his friends (as his Jeep broke down prior to leaving).

It is going to help my neighbor’s friend as most my old Jeep with its new engine and good body (but with a rusted out frame) will go onto the good frame of the friend’s Jeep that has a bad engine and damaged body.

It’s a win-win-win for all of us.  Had I been focused on just ‘money’, likely no one, including myself, would have had the joy that we all now have.  Doing right, not being greedy but seeing the blessings that could occur by showing love and restraint, is far better than trying to make an extra dollar at the expense of my neighbor.

Some like to get into causes.  Some immerse themselves in Righteous causes, such as pro-life pregnancy support.  It is good to go into something like this with the right intentions and being Righteous in actions to help mothers who may be thinking of abortion as an option, or to help those who may not have the resources to fully prepare for a life with an infant.  Some unfortunately fall into unrighteous zealousness and respond to acting in violence by being derogatory toward women entering abortion clinics, or even attempting to vandalize or burn down such clinics.

Other may believe they need to support political causes.  We know one of Jesus’ Apostles did; Simon the Zealot.  Zealots in Jesus’ day were a politically-motivated group that stood against Roman tyranny over Israel, and later were responsible for engaging in the ‘Jewish-Roman War’ between 65 and 75AD, during which Jerusalem was sacked and burned by the Romans in 70AD, and the infamous fall of Masada in 74AD. 

Being a ‘Zealot’ meant the Apostle was likely involved and supported the movement, but being an Apostle also meant he was a leader for Christ first, and before he died around 68AD (traditionally by getting sawed in half horizontally), he is alleged to have gone to North Africa and then England to share the Gospel.

Again, it is OK to support political causes, to speak up and hold political leanings, and even to peacefully protest, as long as it is done Righteously and in accordance to God’s Word.  There is nothing wrong about Righteously supporting such causes or having hobbies, provided one places God first and foremost when doing so. 

Playing golf on a Friday is good; playing golf on Sunday morning in lieu of attending church is not.  Attending a political event to show solidarity for a cause during the week is good; attending a political event to riot and vandalize – on any day of the week – is obviously not.

There are always, in each of us, things occurring that trigger our primal instinct to respond in a humanistic fashion; this is temptation as long as we do not fall into actually responding in that primal way.  We must lean on Jesus to quell that response, whether it is greed, or in violence. We shouldn’t yell ‘baby killer’ at women entering an abortion clinic, or try to make a windfall from our neighbor’s sudden pitfall.  

Such violence does not come from God as He hates violence (Psalm 11:5), and He implores us not to desire to be violent or act that manner (Proverbs 3:31).  To act violently in reaction to having your ‘feelings’ hurt is not in any way justifiable, nor is it justifiable to seek revenge or go vigilante and hunt such ‘vermin’ down. 

It makes my blood boil to hear when thugs set churches or synagogues on fire or ransack them, and although I know it is not the building that is important, it still provokes a seething emotion.  Nevertheless, we must pray for those who do such despicable acts to be forgiven and come into God’s Grace through Jesus Christ.

This does not mean that we necessarily have to roll over and take it if violent people come to do us or our neighbors’ direct harm.  God provides several examples of this in the Bible, including when encountering thieves or home invaders (Exodus 22:2-3)(Luke 11:21).  The Lord wants us to be strong (Isaiah 49:25) and not be afraid to stand up to those who invoke violence toward us, or others who we see are victims of a violent person or group. 

I’ve pointed out before that it is not against God’s will to be armed (Luke 22:36), so ‘clinging to your Bible and your guns’ are perfectly acceptable and compatible in God’s Word.  If one defends their home, or their storefront, or their neighbor, or a stranger in dire danger, it is proper in God’s eyes.  Meek does not mean weak, and it pleases me to see armed citizens defending stores or neighborhoods when rioters or gangs of thieves threaten them.

As I close, be aware of the upcoming political protest occurring nationwide, and here locally in towns throughout southwest Florida.  Please, be careful, pray for those who may be unsuspectingly wandering into the protest area and praying the protest does not devolve into a riot. 

Pray for this to be peaceful and not violent, and that the Lord find us and our church to be worthy of His protection.  Ask the Lord to intervene, and for the protestors to turn away and repent to God – but, if they turn instead toward us to do harm, I pray the Lord give us strength to repel their violence and shield us from harm.