Yes, it is always right to do the right thing, even if the time seems wrong!
Have you ever been in a situation to help someone, but you chose not to? Then afterward, it bothered you for not obeying that little prompting that you were “set up” by God to help out and show His kindness. We have opportunities all the time, but we choose to tune out what we are hearing and seeing. We choose to be silent or idle and not do the right thing.
KINGDOM VOICE: Obey those promptings the Holy Spirit nudges us in this way.
Jesus encountered great opposition for doing the right thing. On several occasions, He did not obey the Law and the strict requirements of keeping the Sabbath. One time, while He was in a synagogue teaching, a man was present who had a shriveled right hand. “The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, to see if He would heal on the Sabbath.” (Luke 6: 7) The Pharisees believed in Jesus’ power to perform miracles. The question was not “could He,” but, “would He?”
KINGDOM TRUTH #1: Not everyone watching us closely has good intentions. Use discernment and see the evil traps being set.
Jesus, in His wisdom, tells the man, “Get up and stand in front of everyone. So he got up and stood there.” (Luke 6: 8) As the man is before the folks in the synagogue, being put on display, Jesus says, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save a life or to destroy it?” (Luke 6: 9) Jewish tradition only allowed aid to be given on the sick if the person’s life was threatened. This was not the case.
As He asks the question, He is addressing the congregation, hoping to use it as a teaching moment, but the “teachers of the Law,” didn’t get it. They were more concerned with keeping the rules and restrictions regarding the Sabbath.
Jesus then tells the man to stretch out his hand. The man listens and his hand was completely restored! Yea God!
KINGDOM TRUTH#2: Rules are great and definitely needed, but if they prevent the heart of Jesus from being released, then they can restrict God’s blessings.
The heart of the Pharisees didn’t know how to respond to the question. “They were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.” (Luke 6: 11)
Where was there compassion for this man? The miracle that was displayed right in front of them, was passed right on by. How could someone be furious when a man’s life would be restored? They couldn’t see the need, nor the heart of the matter, because of the restrictions that were put on them.
KINGDOM TRUTH #3: Unnecessary restrictions and religious traditions can cloud how we see into the heart of a situation.
Jesus cut across and cut through the traditions and emphasized the God-given purpose of the Sabbath–a day intended for man–for spiritual, mental, and physical restoration.
KINGDOM TRUTH #4: Jesus came to restore and make us whole.
It’s never the wrong time to do the right thing! Jesus was telling them, “I am the Lord of the Sabbath,” but they couldn’t see or hear. If doing good is standing in front of you, choose to do good.
KINGDOM TRUTH #5: Sometimes, there are exceptions to the rules. Listening to Jesus and walking in obedience is an exception.
Disclaimer: I am not saying to disobey authority or protocol. Use discernment!
If traps are being set by accusing people, divine encounters are being established as well. He always provides a way out.
KINGDOM TRUTH #6: It’s time to choose and do the right thing, in a spirit of humility. Seeing the heart of a matter will yield to humility, not pride. Choose wisely!
KINGDOM ASSURANCE
You can find all of the Kingdom Assurance series posts by clicking the button below.