Everybody Is Doing It

 

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.

For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

"Everybody is doing it" is often a defense for doing things that may not be good for us or others.  

However, we need to seriously consider that if everybody is doing, we probably should not be doing it. This can be a hard lesson. Peer pressure is everywhere. Little temptations can grow up into big ones, like gambling or excessive alcohol use or cheating on our spouse.

All of it has the same ugly result – destruction of our good life.

Jesus loves us so much that He is willing to offend us by pointing out our wayward ways and leaving the narrow gate open for us.  Go through it. 

Be Strong And Courageous

 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

We say: “We are not afraid.” But the truth is we are. 

When life throws us a curve ball and we do not know what to do, we are afraid.  Afraid that we will make a wrong decision, afraid we will not be able to bear the financial cost, afraid that our friends and family will not support our decisions.  We are afraid and rightly so.

Even so, we can do that which we need to do knowing that God is with us.

Be strong and courageous.   

Doing What Is Honorable

 

For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man.

2 Corinthians 8:21

Sometimes when we are right about something we run rough shod over the feelings of others.  

I think what Paul is saying here is that it is good to be right and do the right thing but we also need to consider how we go about what we are doing.  

Perhaps in these situations it helps to explain our ideas and actions and why they line up with Christian principles.  

In this way, we can do what is right and help appease the doubts others have regarding our actions.

In this way, we can work to do what is honorable in the Lord's sight in a manner that is peaceable.