Introduction When we do what is right, others may be influenced to also do what is right. Our righteous influence will lead others to glorify God – Matthew 5:16 Even those who would do evil to you can be overcome by your doing good – Romans 12:20-21 3-23-14 – Richmond, MO 3-30-14 – St. Joe, MO 5-27-15 – McKinney, TX (revised slightly and title changed from Doing Right In Spite of Wrong Results)

Introduction However, there is no guarantee that our doing what is right will always cause others to do right also. Good behavior and deeds may bring about a change in those who slander you – 1 Peter 2:12 A wife’s submission and respectful behavior may win her husband to Christ – 1 Peter 3:1-2 How should I act when my righteous behavior has no impact upon the unrighteous behavior of others?

Doing Right - Regardless! Regardless of what others do

Doing right – regardless! I’m obligated to do what is right even if others do not Matthew 5:43-48 Romans 12:14-21 We have sayings which reflect this: “Take the high road” “Be the bigger/better man”

Two Scriptural Illustrations

Doing right – regardless! The Marriage Relationship Husbands commanded to love their wives Ephesians 5:33 Even if she remains contentious and disrespectful Wives commanded to respect their husbands Ephesians 5:33; 1 Peter 3:1-2 Even if he remains unloving and unbelieving

Doing right – regardless! The Master/Slave Relationship Slaves were commanded to submit to masters Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22; Titus 2:9 Even if they were unreasonable – 1 Peter 2:18 Masters also had instructions Stop threatening – Ephesians 6:9 Be just and fair – Colossians 4:1 Even if slaves were argumentative & pilfering – Tit. 2:9-10

How difficult is it to do right toward those doing you wrong? Remember Matthew 5:46-47

How can one do right, regardless? A matter of focus

Incorrect Focus Don’t focus on seeing that justice is done. Romans 12:17-19 – “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.” Ephesians 6:9 – “And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.” Colossians 3:25 – “For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.”

Incorrect Focus Don’t focus on seeing that justice is done. James 5:1-6 – “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! 4 Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.”

Incorrect Focus “But something should be done, for they have”: Done evil against me – Romans 12:17 Threatened me – Ephesians 6:9 Wronged me – Colossians 3:25 Cheated me – James 5:4 It is better to accept being wronged then to seek justice in an unscriptural way. 1 Corinthians 6:7

Incorrect Focus That doesn’t mean that those who do wrong to others will “get away” with it. Colossians 3:25 – “For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.” (cf. Ephesians 6:9) Romans 12:19 – “leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.”

No one is “getting away” with anything!

Correct Focus Don’t focus on how you are being treated, but on: Treating others like God would treat them Matthew 5:44-45 Treating others like Jesus treated them 1 Peter 2:21-23 Treating others like you would want to be treated Matthew 7:12 You can’t control the behavior of others! Focus on what you can control, YOUR BEHAVIOR!

Correct Focus Don’t focus on pleasing the other person Ephesians 6:6; Colossians 3:22 Luke 6:31-36 Instead, focus on doing right to please God Ephesians 6 – “as to Christ” (vs. 5) ; “slaves of Christ” (vs. 6); “as to the Lord” (vs. 7) Col. 3 – “fearing the Lord” (vs. 22) ; “as for the Lord” (vs. 23) 1 Timothy 6:1 – “name of God and His doctrine” Titus 2:10 – “adorn the doctrine of God” If I’m trying to please the other person, then I’ll get upset when my hard work is overlooked, when I’m passed over for promotion, when all I do seems not to get acknowledged..

Correct Focus Don’t focus on how you are being treated, but on: Doing right to receive a reward from God Not the other person (though we may receive one from them) Ephesians 6:8 – “knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord” Colossians 3:24 – “knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

Our pride is not the issue here Our pride is not the issue here! Our relationship to God and adorning His doctrine is at stake! When I return insult for insult, or get angry when being unjustly accused or decide “not to take it anymore” at work or wherever, I’ve forgotten what is at stake and I’m suffering from wounded pride.

Conclusion Doing what is right regardless can be wearisome Galatians 6:9 “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Hebrews 12:3 “For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Doing Right - Regardless! Regardless of what others do