“Right” is a prominent word in our vocabulary. It has multiple connotations. We use it in a myriad of ways. Think about it… “The socks need to be turned right side out”; “I have a right to be here.” “That is the right answer.” “Turn right at the next stop sign.” “I’ll be right home.” “You are right at the top of my list.” Those are just a few examples. We use the word regularly in lots of contexts. Generally though, we think of right in three basic categories: Right and left, right and wrong, and rights and privileges.
Right and left basically denote bearing in relation to the right or left side of your body. It can mean location or direction. But all in all, I think right and left are pretty self-explanatory, so I won’t elaborate on that category.
Rights and privileges are a hot topic in the world today. There are moral rights, legal rights, inalienable rights, God-given rights, etc. And it seems like everyone is arguing about the validity of all of them. Since this is a political squabble, I’m not going to talk about that category either.
BUT…
I do want to talk about right and wrong. Right and wrong convey several different things to our minds. In school, the answers on the test were either right or wrong – correct or incorrect. In conversation we might say either the right thing or the wrong thing – proper or improper. In life we can make the right choices or the wrong ones – good or bad.
For the most part, people want to do the right thing. And they want to be right in the way they think. It’s an innate heart’s desire. However, all of us make mistakes, we get duped, or just show a lack of judgement. But usually, we hate the times when we stray from right and endeavor to get back on the “right track” as quickly as we can.
This brings up an important point – how do we know what is right or wrong? There is only ONE sure standard that we can use to answer that question, and that is God’s Word. God set up the only absolutely right way of thinking and acting. So our thoughts and actions must be measured against that standard. That is not to say that we have to recite Bible verses all day long. It would be pretty hard to function in our daily lives if every word or thought had to be a scripture. How would we do our jobs or even cook dinner? But when we make the Bible our only rule of faith and practice, our conscience is guided by Its truth and that truth becomes our habit pattern of thought.
I think of it like this: Picture a compass… North, East, South, and West, and all the degrees between. Our moral compasses have corresponding settings: “Right” being north, and “Wrong” being south, and all the degrees in between. We try to keep our lives focused on Right, (north) and avoid Wrong (south). But mostly we live our lives somewhere in the degrees between – hopefully close to north! When we set true north on our moral compass to God’s Word, that becomes our guiding light. And we can utilize that compass point to keep us on the “right road”.
So, we all probably agree that we do want to do the right thing. Our hearts generally lean toward helping one another, being of service, and giving to those in need. We like feeling that what we are doing is helping people and making them happy. It is rewarding to aid someone in a tough time and see them get through it. It is very satisfying to be able to be strong for someone when they’re down. But sometimes we get hurt. Maybe our efforts to help are not appreciated or wanted. Maybe we are ignored or pushed away. Maybe we fail. Maybe people take advantage of our generosity. Many things can discourage us from doing what is right. Hence, we end up in the degrees. We may even determine that we are not going to help anyone ever again. But then we see on our compass that we’re headed off course, and we can correct our thinking.
It stands to reason that the further away from right we get, the closer we get to wrong. (makes sense, right?) But it doesn’t matter if we are as wrong as wrong can be, God always provides a way back to right, if we want it. Again, let’s think of our compass directions. If we are at the north pole (right as rain) and we start heading south, we will eventually get to the south pole (simply wrong). But whatever direction we head from the south pole goes north. And eventually, if we keep moving, we’ll reach the north pole again. Isn’t God wonderful!
As I stated before, the only sure measure of right or wrong is God’s Word. Allow that Word to be your North Star. You can always navigate by that star even in the darkest night. Continue your quest to do the right thing regardless of any ingratitude. And keep your thoughts on true north on your compass.
You have the right to be right, right now, right where you are!
Note to my readers: You are right at the top of my list! (I meant that!) I will not be posting next Friday. However, I will post on the Friday following. Have a wonderful two weeks!!