Think and Do Right

God’s people have always struggled with faith; with knowing and doing what’s right. It’s human! People think God’s favor is distributed according to merit, and feel rejected, angry, even despairing when the blessings are not forthcoming. Some may try to bargain with and please God with offerings. The Prophet Hosea said stop trying to buy God’s favor. He said, “God desires steadfast love, and the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6)

God wants people to “Think and Do Right”, as the Collect says.  When God’s people are at least trying to “Think and Do Right” then they naturally want to “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and make good their vows to the Most High.” (Psalm 50:15) This is why, many times throughout the year, I quote this Psalm as our offertory sentence.  

Paul echoes this message to the Church in Rome. The more they try to “Think and Do Right” according to God’s will, the more they will see they can’t earn God’s blessings. It is not merit but faith that makes us righteous.

One illustration of how Jesus showed us how to “Think and Do Right” is in today’s Gospel according to Matthew, where he tells the story of his own transformation. The world saw him as a reviled Jew for his work as tax collector. Instead of rejecting him, Jesus said, “Follow me.” Jesus demonstrated that a repentant sinner is welcome, accepted, included in God’s favor (and given a new life!). But the Pharisees didn’t see it that way, and complained. So Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12,13) That’s how a tax collector became a saint.

Then Jesus was literally called by other’s needs to act on his teaching of inclusion by faith.  He chose to demonstrate the power of faith in raising a young daughter from death and curing an older woman of bleeding that had caused her to be excluded from her community.

“Think and Do Right.” Welcome all who seek by faith, no matter how weak, to be part of God’s kingdom on earth. This is the message that Jesus gave his disciples; and they did it with God’s help.  

Let us go and do likewise.

Amen