Doing the Right Thing

“Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so all will go well with you. Then you will enter and occupy the good land that the Lord swore to give your ancestors.” (Deuteronomy 6:18).

It isn’t easy for a teenager to stand up for what is right or to do the right thing these days. In fact, some of us feel it is easier to go with the flow of whatever is popular at the time or just avoid the issue altogether. The "If-you-can't-beat-them-join-them" attitude. Sadly, this attitude is what usually leads to a culture that creates weak, misguided, and apathetic people.

In Genesis 39, Joseph was sexually harassed by his master's wife but he put his foot down on what was right. When the push got to shove, Joseph ran from the room she’d cornered him into, leaving his coat behind. I’ve heard and read some people say he was crazy for running away from such a proposition. Here was a slave boy, far away from home, in a strange country, turning his back on his biggest ticket yet to comfort, luxury and freedom. But Joseph knew what was right, and he stood by it. For that, he was immeasurably blessed by God.

As believers, we have been called to do right and to do right at all times in all circumstances wherever we are. Many Christians have yielded to the peer pressure from friends, family, work, school, society, and even fellow believers. We need believers today who will commit to doing the right thing regardless of whether or not anyone else does.

Do right because it is right.

1 Peter 1:16 tells us to “...Be ye holy; for I am holy.” God is Holy and does only that which is right. Because He would judge the whole earth, it behoves on Him to do the right thing (Genesis 18:25) and as children of God, we are to bear the family resemblance.

Do right for the right reasons.

Some people do right out of fear of punishment. Aristotle observed that, “Wicked men obey from fear; good men, from love” but Hebrews 2:15 has prayed a profound prayer to this effect - “And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage”. If we obey God solely from a sense of fear, then of a truth, we will never know the joy of obedience. We are to do the right thing because of our love for God. 1 John 5:3 spells it out for us - “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”

Some others do the right thing out of pride. They desire to be acknowledged and appreciated so their right deeds are made public. So, any action that will not command public commendation is a no-no. But Matthew 6:1-2 tells us thus: “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward”.

Do right for God’s glory

When we desire to do right because it is right, we would seek to obey God because we love Him. This brings Him glory. 1 Corinthians 10:31 enjoins us thus: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” It is all about pleasing God. Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Many of us do not know who puts on our street lights every day. The officer responsible for this task goes about the business to put on the lights, not to make himself seen. It doesn’t matter if people don’t take notice of them or pay scant attention to what they do. The important thing is to make them take notice of their light which becomes very useful as they navigate their way in the dark. We do not need to seek to be noticed by men, but to make positive impact.

You cannot do wrong to do right.

Apostle Paul preached thus in Romans 3:8 where he was falsely accused of saying, “Let us do evil that good may come.” He was justly and thoroughly condemning the philosophy of ‘the end justifying the means’. We do not have the right to do what God said is wrong regardless of what we think or the reasoning behind our actions.

Remember that King Saul in 1 Samuel 13:6-14 took it upon himself to perform a task that was reserved strictly for priests. When Prophet Samuel confronted him in outrage, “What have you done?” Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the LORD.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.” And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”

This was just the beginning. In 1 Samuel 15:22, Samuel rebuked Saul again. “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Proverbs 21:3 says: “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.”

Do right because you know is right to do.

James 4:17 says: “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Doing right means doing what God says is right not what we or others feel is right.

Deuteronomy 12:8 “You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes.” Being holy, as God commands His children to be, does not consist merely in doing nothing wrong, but also in doing ALL that is right.

Exodus 15:26 “And said, ‘If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep ALL his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.’”

Deuteronomy 12:28 "Observe and obey ALL these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God.”

Do right no matter the cost.

There’s this quote from an unknown source. It says, "Wrong is wrong – even if everyone is doing it. Right is right – even if no one is doing it." Proverbs 1:10 warns, “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” We must do right regardless of who applies pressure. We have a choice though: We can either do right regardless of what others are doing or we can follow what the world is doing. Most Christians would rather go with the flow of the world than stand up for the Word of God but 1 Peter 3:17  tells us that : “For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

We should also always do right regardless of the results. Our decision to do right should be apart from the results. If right turns out wrong, it is still right to do right. 2 Chronicles 25:1-2 tells us about a young king. “Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, yet not with a whole heart.” We are to live in full obedience to the Lord Who has redeemed us.

Conclusion

So, whether we are dealing with ethical issues at school, in the neighbourhood and at work or moral issues with friends and family, we should not be afraid to stand up for what we know is right. It may be difficult, but it will be worth it. Today, people of all ages are being booed and jeered for doing the right thing. It seems to be fashionable and rewarding to play the “bad guy” but as believers, we must be strengthened by God's word and be determined to take a stand to do right!

Theodore Hesburgh, an American an educator and author said thus: “My basic principle is that you don't make decisions because they are easy; you don't make them because they're popular; you make them because they're right”.

Father’s Day: Honouring our Fathers!!!

Ephesians 6:3, "If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

Last Sunday, 17^th June, was celebrated all over the world as Father’s Day. In many societies, the father is stereotyped – a man who has brought forth and raised a child. The criteria for fatherhood is so basic – be a biological parent and provide the child with food, clothing, and shelter. Because this description was so unsatisfactory, some child welfare advocates came up with a new definition of the father – the concept of Dad. Dad became the symbol of the man who is not necessarily, the biological parent of the child, but has loved, cared for and nurtured the child with steadfast commitment and devotion. He not only provides the child with the basics of life but also, loving relationship, education and protection. I believe it is this Father that is celebrated, worldwide, year after year, with honour.

Father’s Day also provides the opportunity to reflect on the contemporary issues, situations, conditions and circumstances affecting the office of Fatherhood. Today’s father can be found in different forms – single, married, employed, stay-at home, gay, straight, adoptive, step-parent, abusive, irresponsible, etc. Nevertheless, it is a truism that fathers are important influences on children in every society and also need to be acknowledged and celebrated.

That is why the story of Ham, son of Noah, is so profound for today’s teens. The Bible records in Genesis 9:18-27 that Noah was drunk and laid naked in his room. Ham, his son, went into his father's room and finding him in that state, went out to scornfully broadcast his father's nudity and drunkenness to his brothers, Shem and Japheth.

Familiar territory for many teens! We like to make fun of every odd situation – the person wearing poorly matched clothes; driving a dirty looking car; wearing torn socks; speaking incorrect English; etc. Not just at adults but even our peers get a good dose of our ‘fun’ – overweight, rumpled clothes, torn shoes, less fashionable attire, bookworm, techy, etc. So, Ham mocked his father for having drunk himself to stupor and lying sprawled out in his ‘birthday suit’. He had a fine laugh and even invited his brothers to join in the ‘humour’. His father probably saw him and heard his disdainful words and was very pained. His own son had disrespected him so badly consequently, Noah, placed a curse, not on the culprit, Ham, but on Canaan, his son. Canaan’s lineage would be slaves to their cousins forever.

Lessons to learn

There are many lessons we can learn from this story. Firstly, God instructs us to be respectful to our parents and to honour them. Exodus 20:12, “Honor (respect, obey, care for) your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged in the land the Lord your God gives you. To disrespect them is to act in an insulting manner towards them like being rude and disobedient. It portrays how little we regard them. It should not be so.

We must understand that our parents have weaknesses, just as every other human being. And as such, they can make mistakes too. It is not our place, as their children, to ridicule and disrespect them. We do not know what could have caused Noah to engage in such behaviour but what we do know is that many fathers have found themselves in this situation. Many are driven by frustrations at home, work, in relationships, with life, etc. Some others just love to drink alcohol and other spirits and getting drunk and lying in such a dishonourable state isn’t new to them. Ham may have been sad, ashamed and disappointed at his father’s behaviour but what He did was unbecoming of a child to his father. Ham ridiculed his father in his state of weakness. He refused to protect his father’s dignity. Instead of honouring his father, he disrespected him.

Secondly, we can learn from Ham's brothers. When Ham ran to them with the 'gist' of their father's condition, instead of them to join in the jesting, Shem and Japheth quickly went in to cover their dad with cloth, careful not to see him naked. They protected his dignity.

It doesn't matter what other people say or think about our parent. As teens, it may be tough when our parent misbehaves especially, in public. Children witness their parents shouting foul expletives at people, fighting in public, flouting the laws of the land, committing crimes and getting arrested, prosecuted and sent to prison. But today, I pray that the knowledge of the word of God will encourage you. On no account should you make disparaging remarks about your parent. Rather, like Shem & Japheth, let us protect their dignity. Let us understand that they are at their point of weakness. We can gently let them know how their behaviour affects us but we cannot join others out there to poke fun at their weakness. We can also pray for them so that God, their Creator, can help them out of their failing.

Conclusion

Ham didn’t do well at all. He should not have disrespected his father. Not doing the right thing brought his lineage a curse. May you be a blessing to your parents and receive your father’s blessing rather than curses, in Jesus name. When we honour our parents, God promises us that we shall be blessed - you will live long and you will prosper. So shall it be in Jesus name. Amen.

Your Circumstances Do Not Define You!!!

Judges 11:1, “Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a brave warrior, but he was the son of a prostitute. Gilead was the father of Jephthah”.

Introduction

The story of Jephthah is quite interesting. He rose from shame to glory. His story tells me that no matter the circumstances of my birth and life, I can become what God wants me to be.

Jephthah was the son of a prostitute. And who is a prostitute? That is the person who engages in sexual intercourse in exchange for money or favours. Other words used to refer to such a person include ‘whore’, ‘harlot’, etc. The word, prostitute, is also used to refer to a person who willingly uses their talent or ability in a base and unworthy way, usually for money. Even in biblical days, like today, that profession attracted scorn and ridicule. The children of prostitutes were mocked incessantly and Jephthah was not spared. His step brothers threw him out of their father’s house and denied him any inheritance just because his mother was a harlot. The hostility was so bad that Jephthah had to run away from home to a place called Tob.

What Next?

Starting a new life in a new location may not have been easy for Jephthah. He’d left home with nothing and had no support whatsoever. He would have to get a new means of livelihood and make new friends in order to move on with his life. Jephthah had no time for self pity. The opportunity may have been there but Jephthah refused to walk that path. He trained himself to become a fantastic warrior. He was determined to make a success of his life. I want to believe that word got to the people at Gilead that Jephthah was doing well but his adversaries pooh pooh-ed at such news.

Reach Out!

But a group of ‘bad guys’, society’s outcasts, obviously ‘never-do-wells’, responded positively to that information and left Gilead to join Jephthah. They could relate with Jephthah’s story…the ‘bad-boy-done-good’. They desired a better life and if Jephthah could make it, so could they. So off they went to meet with Jephthah. He was now their role model. Jephthah put the boys to work and trained them to be good warriors and useful people. Jephthah could have rejected them too. It wasn’t easy for him to turn his life around and he could have asked them to face the same difficulties he’d faced. But no. He received them and helped to transform their lives. He became their leader.

Patriotism

The Bible records that after some time, the Ammonites came to attack Israel. There was fear in the land – the fear of imminent defeat by a stronger army. The people of Israel remembered Jephthah, an acknowledged warrior, and ran to him for help. They were now begging him to be their leader, the same Jephthah they’d derided and humiliated. They were in dire need of a son like Jephthah and the erstwhile ‘scoundrels’, now accomplished warriors. Jephthah refused to pay them in their own coin. He kindly accepted to help his people to fight against the Ammonites and was crowned as head and captain of his people. Israel won the war.

Take the Lemons

It was not Jephthah’s fault that his mother was a whore. He was even lucky that his father accepted him as son; most children in that situation don’t even know their fathers. His rejection by his brothers could have left him angry and bitter. Most people, in Jephthah’s shoes, would go about complaining from the north pole to the south pole, threatening vengeance and generally making a nuisance of themselves. Not Jephthah. He put away all the distractions and was determined to be successful in spite of what had happened to him.

Your case may not be exactly like Jephthah’s. Your parent may not be in the class of Jephthah’s mother but they may be regarded as poor, irresponsible, indisciplined, etc. You may be so disadvantaged that you are facing discrimination, abuse, oppression and deprivation. You may not be responsible for how people treat you but you are in control of how you react to them. The circumstances of your birth and life may not be of your own making but what you do with that ‘lemon’ is your choice… and you can make them into ‘lemonade’. That is what Jephthah did. He wasn’t responsible for his mother’s behaviour and he wasn’t about to let that part of his life ruin the rest of his life.

Conclusion

Ecclesiastes 1:9 tells us that there is nothing new under the sun. There is no situation that has never happened before. As long as God is on your side and you are determined to succeed, you will. What is determination? It is the will to do something without giving up. You need to develop strong willpower which will help you overcome obstacles and achieve your life goals.

As teenagers, we face immense pressure to perform well in various areas, especially academics, sports, the arts, etc. This burden and consequent competition results in overwhelming stress that can test our willpower to succeed. In many cases, we lose the battle. We can emulate Jephthah. He did not only pull himself up but also helped others too. He had no appetite for revenge but for forgiveness and love for community.

Are you determined to walk with God to achieve your life purpose?

The Role of the Christian Teen in Nation Building

“Your pride for your country should not come after your country becomes great; your country becomes great because of your pride in it.” ― Idowu Koyenikan

Nation-building speaks of a nation in need of building; or, in some cases, rebuilding. The term is usually used to refer to newly-independent nations in the process of development. Some of the activities during the process of nation-building may include the creation of stuff like flags, national anthems, national holidays, national languages, etc.

Many teenagers faced with the challenge to contribute to the building of their countries would probably be thinking that they are too young to do so. But Apostle Paul encouraged the young Timothy thus: “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. But be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). As Christians, we should use our faith to shape our involvement in the process of building our nations. This is because we believe that our Christian principles are holistic and will enable us to put into practice, the kingdom values as taught by our Lord Jesus Christ.

In fact, if we see the world as God’s landscape for transformation (Mark 7: 22-23), we should be asking ourselves, “What kind of nation do we want to build”? One of our most significant roles, which is that of the church too, should be in the area of social justice. The Catholic Church, for instance, has been working at issues of social justice for many years. The Jesuit order is specifically tasked with this very responsibility and role.

We can also practice kingdom values by building a world of greater harmony between different ethnicities, religions and peoples. In our relationships at home, school and in the community, we can follow the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ by participating in the integration of man with God and with the environment. This can be achieved through our godly lifestyle and through our efforts at ensuring the sustainable environmental development in our respective communities.

So, teenagers are a significant part of the beat and pulse of any nation and should play a tremendous role in their building and development. They are full of idealism; they desire to change the world; they have the raw passion to push forward; and the energy to execute their dreams and ideas.

There are many examples in the Bible of young people rising as leaders who built great nations. We get to read about David, Joseph, and our Lord Jesus himself and the countless young people around the world today living the truths they believe in and making positive impact in every sphere of life. We can also carve that niche to exercise our ability to impact society and make a tremendous difference in our nations. Age should be no barrier. We should be educated, from a young age, on democratic principles, social justice and work on cultivating the values that eventually build a nation.

Matthew 5:13-16, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its taste (purpose), how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people [when the walkways are wet and slippery]. You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven”.

The Bible refers to us as change agents, special people, etc. We are not here to mark some sort of ‘attendance register’ on Planet Earth. We are here to make the difference, to be solution-providers, the go-to peeps. There’s this quote by Billy Graham, “We are the Bibles the world is reading; We are the creeds the world is needing; We are the sermons the world is heeding”. That is what ‘salt’ and ‘light’ do. Salt brings out the best in the taste of the food. It also helps to preserve food. Light clears the ‘air’ where there is darkness. Most people are afraid of the dark but when the light is switched on, fear disappears. That is the kind of impact we are expected to make, even as teenagers.

“We are indeed the light of the world–but only if our switch is turned on” - John Hagee

But there can be no meaningful growth; no sustainable achievement can really be attained, without God. Ronald Reagan said, “Without God, democracy cannot and will not long endure”. God is the Creator of the Universe and the One with the development plan and the power for its implementation. In our contribution to the building of our nations, we must rely on Him to guide and strengthen us through to His designed destination. He will lead us through to becoming responsible children, siblings, colleagues, and citizens.

“This world demands the qualities of youth: not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease” — Robert Kennedy