What is Right

Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear,1 and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. (1 Peter 3:13-15a NRSV)

When you read the question at the beginning of the passage, it seems such an easy answer. It’s almost like saying, “Of course no one is going to hurt you if you are doing good.” But we know that isn't actually true. We know that plenty of people are harmed for doing good, for doing what is right.

And then there’s the question of determining what is “right.” I’m reading a book right now called Waiting for Gospel by Douglas John Hall. He identifies an issue in Christianity today concerning how we, as Christians, determine what is right. Many of you correctly jump to the answer that the Bible tells us what is right, and I agree with you. The problem is that good, faithful Christians do not always understand the written Word of God in the same way. That’s part of why the Department of Defense has over 200 organizations that endorse chaplains. That’s part of why there are countless denominations in the Christian community today. While it’s easy to claim there is an absolute “right,” it is much harder to agree on what that absolute right is.

So let’s say for the sake of argument that you know what is right - in a way that is faithful to your understanding of what God is saying to you. Have you ever suffered for trying to live that out? There are many levels of suffering, from simple criticism all the way to being martyred for your faith. In South Sudan, a place some of us know well, a women lives under condemnation of death because she won’t renounce her faith. That takes a tremendous amount of strength and trust.

And somehow through those times of suffering and harm there is a blessing. It’s not always easy to see that blessing. It’s sometimes much easier to see the pain that is caused by doing what is good and right. Sometimes that blessing is only knowing in your heart that you have done what God has asked of you.

Doing what is right can be a daily challenge. Our culture can be very complacent about the way we are “supposed” to live our lives. The author of 1 Peter is very clear. “Do not fear...do not be frightened.” God knows what we are doing and God is present with us in all that we experience. That is a blessing in the midst of suffering. That is a blessing that comes from the cross.