Do Right and Do Good

Do Right and Do Good

Deuteronomy 6:18 – “Do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and possess the good land that the LORD promised on oath to your ancestors.”

The ideas of right and wrong, good and evil, often differ from one culture to another. What one society calls “good,” another might see differently. Yet, deep within, our conscience helps us discern right from wrong. Still, that inner voice must be guided by God’s standard, not merely by human reasoning or social norms.

Our text makes this clear: we are to do what is right and good in God’s sight. That phrase is key. It reminds us that not everything we call “good” aligns with what God calls good, and not everything we think is “right” is right before Him. The measure of righteousness is not human opinion but divine approval. When we align our actions with God’s standard, we position ourselves to enter into His promises—the “good land” He has prepared for us.

In the Old Testament, obedience and right living were the conditions for inheriting the promise. But in the New Testament, Jesus shifts the focus from works to faith. When the Jews asked Him what they must do to perform the works of God, His answer was simple yet profound:

“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” (John 6:28–29)

In Christ, doing right and good begins with believing. Faith in Jesus is the foundation of every true work of righteousness. It is through faith that we receive the grace to live right. Paul echoes this truth when he writes:

“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

In other words, God Himself gives us both the desire and the ability to do what pleases Him. Doing right and doing good is no longer a struggle to earn God’s approval—it is the natural outflow of a life surrendered to Him.

Reflection:
True goodness is not measured by what the world calls right, but by what God calls right. When we believe in Christ and yield to His Spirit, He empowers us to live out the goodness that reflects His heart.

Prayer:
Lord, teach me to see goodness and righteousness through Your eyes. Work in me both the desire and the power to do what pleases You. May my life reflect Your standard of what is right and good. Amen.

Have a fruitful day,
(Dr.) Emmanuel Okoro
(aka Dr. Lift

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

With Such an Attitude

With Such an Attitude “She said, ‘Of course I’ll go with you. But understand that with an attitude like that, there will be no glory for you. The LORD will hand Sisera over to a woman.’ So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.” (Judges 4:9) It is often said that attitude is everything—and in this passage, that truth is unmistakable. Through Deborah, God gave Barak a clear promise of victory over Sisera. Yet, Barak hesitated. He was unwilling to step forward in obedience unless Deborah accompanied him. While God still granted victory, He made it clear that Barak’s reluctance would cost him the honor—Sisera would fall, but not by Barak’s hand. This shows us something powerful: our attitude matters deeply to God. Willingness, courage, and trust are not optional in our walk with Him—they are essential. A hesitant or conditional obedience can limit the fullness of what God intends to do through us. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that willingness positions us for God’s best. And in Philippi...
Read more

Birthright for sale

Birth rights for sale  "One day Jacob was cooking a stew. Esau came in from the field, starved. Esau said to Jacob, "Give me some of that red stew--I'm starved!" That's how he came to be called Edom (Red). Jacob said, "Make me a trade: my stew for your rights as the firstborn." Esau said, "I'm starving! What good is a birthright if I'm dead?" Jacob said, "First, swear to me." And he did it. On oath Esau traded away his rights as the firstborn." (Gen.25.29-33).  Life has taught us to trade what we have for what we want or need. And this is basic economics but the story of how Esau lost his birthright is a lesson we should not forget in a hurry. It tells us that we do not value what we have, until we have lose it.  Esau had his birthright and that entitles him to a double portion of the inheritance from his father. But he was willing to trade a long term advantage for a short pleasure. He wanted a quick fix over a permanen...
Read more

Joshua Spoke, the People Moved

Joshua Spoke, the People Moved “And it happened. Joshua spoke, the people moved. Seven priests carrying seven ram’s-horn trumpets went out before the LORD. As they walked, they blew the trumpets, leading the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD.”  (Joshua 6:8) When Joshua gave the instruction, the people did not argue, analyze endlessly, or delay. He spoke—and they moved. That simple act of obedience set divine power in motion. History was shaped not merely by what was said, but by what was done. Actions give weight to knowledge. What we do with the truth we receive determines the outcomes we experience. Many of us know what is right, what God has said, and what steps we should take—but knowing alone does not transform a life. If we consistently acted on every truth we already knew, our lives would look very different. The real question, then, is not “What more do I need to hear?” but “What is stopping me from acting?” This text teaches us how to relate to God’s Word: Joshua spoke, ...
Read more