It's Easier - and Better - to Do Right

Dr. Bill Bagents is my very good friend, and he and I were colleagues and coworkers during our time working with Heritage Christian University and the Mars Hill church of Christ. I always appreciate his thoughtful writing, and I want to share this article he recently wrote.

IT’S EASIER - AND BETTER - TO DO RIGHT

It’s easier to do right than to wish that you had. Do you hear that statement as proverb, truism, or cliché? I lean toward truism, but the reason for that is elusive.

“It’s easier to do right than” makes a thought-provoking sentence starter. Consider these options and feel free to add your own:

It’s easier to do right than to deal with the consequences of a less noble choice. Think of lying King Saul in 1 Samuel 15 and the Amalekite in 2 Samuel 1.

It’s easier to do right than to face the guilt of letting God down. Think of David in Psalm 51 and Judas in Matthew 27.

It’s easier to do right than to try to explain why you didn’t. Think of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 and Aaron in Exodus 32.

It’s easier to do right than to let yourself down. Think of Paul in Romans 7.

Maybe we should change the sentence starter and think further.

It’s better to do right than to miss the blessings that the right action will bring. Think of Abram vs. Lot in Genesis 13.

It’s better to do right than to let evil erode your character. Think of Cain in Genesis 4.

It’s better to do right than to give in to the status quo. Think Romans 12:1-2

It’s better to do right than to let your critics be right. Think of David and his brother in 1 Samuel 17:28-29.

It’s better to do right than to give the devil a foothold. Think of Ephesians 4:27.

It’s better to do right than to put your family in harm’s way. Think of Achan in Joshua 7.

It’s better to do right and rely on God to settle accounts. Think of Colossians 3:23-24.

It’s better to do right even if that puts your life in danger. Think of Daniel’s three friends in Daniel 3 and Daniel himself in Daniel 6.

It’s better to do right, even if it costs you your life. Think of Revelation 2:10, Hebrews 11:35-40, and John the Baptist in Matthew 14. Bluntly, it’s just always better to do right for the right reason to God’s glory, no matter what the immediate outcome.

- Bill Bagents