People always have the choice to do the right thing. You can speak or choose silence. You can react with anger or maintain your cool. Anger, by the way, is a choice. You can use vulgar language or sprinkle your words with grace. You can waste time on frivolous pursuits or invest time in projects that matter. All day, every day, we are given the privilege to choose to do the right thing.
We are created in the image of God, which distinguishes us from the rest of creation. Part of what it means to be made in the image of God is that we have the power to choose what is moral and good. Trees have no power to choose. Animals are not compelled by a conscience. But man is unique in God’s creation because of his capacity to make moral decisions. Early in Scripture the Lord said to Cain, “You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you” (Genesis 4:7, NLT).
The choices we make have consequences. Our choices will affect both ourselves and those around us. The final result of sin is death – separation from God. But understand that sin can usher in the death of one’s health; the loss of one’s wealth; the demise of a relationship; the corruption of a child’s future; the death of a marriage. Sin kills.
In arrogance I have said upon occasion, “It is my life, and I’ll do what I want.” Yes, it is. But fruit follows every choice. The Bible warns, “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit” (Galatians 6:7-8, NLT).
Faith in God and reverence for the Bible has helped generations of Americans to do the right thing. In fact, the foundation of our nation was partially based on the conviction that the majority of people will choose do what is moral and right, when given the choice. Abraham Lincoln said that we are a government “…of the people, by the people and for the people…”. Such a government depends on people who are moral and just. Our second president, John Adams, boldly declared, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Such statements scare me when I watch our nation trending toward atheism, violence, anarchy and immorality.
Our only hope is God. The only answer is Jesus Christ. If the conscience of our nation is to be resurrected, it will only come through a great move of God across our land. God moves at the beckoning of His people, and He is calling us to pray.