What would you do?
If you could get away with anything, what would you do? What acts would you commit? Who would you tell off? What illicit or perhaps, criminal behavior would you partake in?
There has been a series of movies called “The Purge,” in which, for one 24-hour period a year, anyone can commit any crime without punishment. It reveals the most debased of human behavior and the rationale used to justify reprehensible acts. All because people can get away with it.
Surveys have been done about cheating, lying, stealing and other illicit behaviors that, if the respondent thought they could get away with something, their chances of doing so would increase dramatically.
There is also the TV show called “What Would You Do?”, which presents various awkward, difficult and uncomfortable situations that people are directly exposed to and must react to, usually in a public setting.
Correspondingly, there was a movement called “What would Jesus do?”, which is an effort by well-meaning folks for us to be more Christ-like in our behavior and actions in everyday living and challenging circumstances. Some people bought the WWJD bracelets, mugs, bookmarkers, etc. as tangible reminders of our responsibility to be good and always do the right thing. While those efforts should be commended, what are mainly needed are minds and hearts that are transformed by the word of God and the love of the Spirit which compels us to do the right thing always. Not just publicly, but privately, as well.
It is said that character is what you do when no one’s looking.
How many of us could do something immoral or unethical and get away with it, but choose not to? Why don’t we? What restrains us? Are we afraid we will get caught? How would the course of history have been changed if Adam and Eve wouldn’t have given into eating the forbidden fruit?
Gen Chapter 3 said what about young Joseph when he was sexually tempted by his master’s wife and refused?
Gen 39:1-12 said if only King David wouldn’t have been consumed by his desire for Bathsheba after seeing her bathing and setting up her husband to be killed so he could have her. That whole sordid story is found in 2 Sam 11. How many times did Samson give into his desire for women, especially Delilah who led to his downfall?
Found in Judges Chapters 14, 15 and 16, Judas just didn’t just betray Jesus but also stole from the poor and the ministry as he would take from the money bag that was entrusted to him.
John 12: 4-6 asked how many lives, families and communities have been adversely impacted by those who do things because they thought they could get away with it?
We should be grateful that Jesus, when he was alone in the wilderness being tempted, didn’t give in but stayed true to God and maintained his integrity so he would have the moral authority to save us.
As God is all knowing He sees, hears, and understands everything that each human does, good or bad. It is impossible for us to do anything in secret away from God’s knowledge. Yet too many of us do not understand this, or we do and sear our conscience anyway.
Along the way in life we all do or say things we shouldn’t.
What would you do if I informed you that you can find forgiveness through God? What would you do if you could confess to God the wrongs and sins of your life and put it behind you? What would you do if you could pick up what there is of your life and move on with God?
You can. So do it now.