A Whole Lot Of Right Out There
By Bill Denton
So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Galatians 6:10, NASB95)
The movie Radio is based upon the true story of a high school football coach (Ed Harris) and a developmentally challenged young man, known as "Radio" (Cuba Gooding Jr.), whom he takes under his wing.
The coach invites Radio to team practice sessions. He drives him back to his home. He invites him to school, to be a part of the class. In one scene, Radio's mother and coach Jones are seated at her kitchen table having a talk.
Mother: "You know coach, it wasn't that long ago, I see you drive up in that truck of yours and be wonderin' why you're doin' what you're doin'. So, why are you doin' what you're doin?"
Coach: "I figure it's the right thing to do."
Mother: "But there's a whole lot out there that's right. Don't mean we always do it."
Radio (Touchstone Pictures, 2003), directed by Michael Tollin
Yes, there is certainly a “whole lot out there that’s right,” that we’re not doing. This is a side of sin that goes unnoticed by most of us. Usually we think of sin as something that we do that is wrong. But sin is also something that is right that we do not do. People often pride themselves on how much wrong-doing they avoid. That same person may also be avoiding a great deal of right-doing.
We should be thankful for all the right-doing that happens. I can tell you when someone treats me “right” it does not go unnoticed. I know it when someone has been kind to me, or when they have been good to me. You probably recognize those things, too. I am glad that so many people have been moved to do something good with their lives, to leave a positive legacy, to make a mark of some kind that blesses or benefits others. Just think of all the ways that people have been helped because someone wanted to do something good. Wouldn’t this be a sad world without those good things?
This is one of the distinctive characteristics of Christianity. I don’t mean that people of other religions or philosophies never do any good, but I am saying that for Christians, it is part of our basic belief that we do good to others, irregardless of who those others are, or whether they are deserving of our good treatment. We may struggle with that idea, and we certainly may not always live up to it, but the fact remains that the generous, benevolent, gracious God we follow has implanted in us attributes that the world in general does not practice.
The Bible says that God sends the sunshine and rain on both the just and unjust. In other words, while it is true that eventually He will judge and punish evil people, it is equally true that during their lifetime, God will also be good to them and us. It’s hard to be wrong and do right. Despite the fact that we don’t always do what’s right, do as much as you can, whenever you can.
© Copyright 2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy. http://www.crossties.org
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