7-12-26//RESPECT WHAT IS RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF ALL MEN…Pastor David Reeve
Rom 12:9-13 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
WHEN IS IT WRONG TO DO RIGHT?
We are to be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody NIV (see 1 Peter 2:11-12). The word for right could also be translated "noble" or "honorable." Paul is certainly not using the word everybody as it is used in the common expression "Everybody's doing it." Paul's standard for behavior was not common consensus, but godliness. The point being made here is that the behavior of believers must be such that no one can rightfully make a claim of wrongdoing. To commit the same evil that was committed against us makes us indistinguishable from the original offenders.
Right: kalos (kal-os'); of uncertain affinity; properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e. valuable or virtuous for appearance or use
beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable
a. beautiful to look at, shapely, magnificent
b. good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends
1. genuine, approved
2. precious
3. joined to names of men designated by their office, competent, able, such as one ought to be
4. praiseworthy, noble
c. beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, and hence praiseworthy
1. morally good, noble
d. honourable, conferring honour
e. affecting the mind agreeably, comforting and confirming
KJV - better, fair, good (-ly), honest, meet, well, worthy
THE GOLDEN RULE
Matt 7:12 "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
1 Peter 2:12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Phil 2:1-4 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Col 3:23-24 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.