Do the Right Thing - Devotional Nov. 10, 2009

The following devotional appears each week in The Bargain Browser/The Connection in White House, TN:

Practical Faith with Pastor K

Do the Right Thing…

Character is best measured when no one is looking. For the Christian, however, there is faith that we are never alone and God is always paying attention.

While Paul is clear in Ephesians 2:8-9 that our works will not save us; rather we are “saved by grace, through faith, not of works, lest any man should boast,” I am confident that if you are a follower of Christ, God expects you to be obedient to His Word and be a good person.

He is not judging your salvation according to your works, for we would never measure up. Without the saving grace of Jesus, none of us can get to Heaven. But I have reasoned that God desires for me to live the best life I can live for Him;, I am called to overcome bad things by holding on to what is good (Romans 12).

This is harder than it looks. Living your faith is tested when you are behind the wheel and a driver makes a bad decision in front of you, or when life is unfair, and you feel to be getting the short end of the stick. It’s hard when the person checking out in front of you holds up the line, the train makes you late for work, or your kid spills ketchup on the back seat driving down the interstate. Maybe a co-worker tells another of your troubles without your permission, or a friend gossips behind your back. Your boss is mean, your money is tight or your marriage is struggling. Worse yet, the doctor may say he cannot save you and it doesn’t seem like God is listening.

Now while character often arises in adversity, so does fault. We make mistakes and let down our guard when we struggle. God has a promise in His Word that is so incredible, and so practical, I feel compelled to share with you. Whatever you fight at this very moment, hold to this truth and keep your head up:

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also may the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

Don’t let down your faith when you are tested. God will always come through and while you wait on His time, be a person of good character and strive to always do the right thing.

Be blessed!

Pastor Kris Freeman is a church planter with General Baptist National Missions. Revolution Church will launch in White House and Cross Plains in fall, 2010. For more information, visit www.myrevolutionchurch.com .