Know Right, Do Right
TRUTH IS OF NO USE UNLESS IT IS OBEYED.
Bible Reading of the Day: Read Romans 2:5-10.
Verse of the Day: “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth” (1 John 1:6, NIV).
Mom and Dad heard the garage door opening and raced to the door together. When they opened the door between the kitchen and the garage, their daughter Robin was putting her bike away where it belonged.
“Where have you been?” Mom asked. “We’ve been worried sick about you!”
“The streetlights came on a long time ago,” Dad said.
Robin knew that she was supposed to be home before the streetlights came on. She smiled sheepishly. “I got lost on the way home from Jayda’s house,” she explained.
Her mom and dad exchanged confused glances as they turned and walked back into the house. Robin followed.
“You know your way home from Jayda’s house,” Mom said.
“I know it,” Robin said, “but I was already late, and I thought I could save time by going a different way.” She slumped into a chair beside the kitchen table. “But it didn’t work. Am I in trouble?”
“Well, Robin,” Dad said, “you know the rules. It doesn’t do much good to know the right way if you don’t follow it, does it?” he said.
Robin searched his face. He seemed to be talking about more than just coming home late.
“Mom and I are glad you’re safe,” he said. “But we want you to remember that doing the right thing involves more than just knowing the right way. You have to choose to follow the right way too.”
“Mom, Dad,” Robin said, “what are you talking about?”
Mom sighed and peered into her daughter’s eyes. “We found this in your bedroom today,” she explained. She laid an empty package on the table.
Robin looked at the package. It looked similar to a pouch of tobacco. Robin’s face registered shock, then she started laughing. “I’m sorry, Mom and Dad. I just can’t believe you would think that’s real. It’s an empty bubble gum pouch.”
Mom looked relieved. “I’m so glad,” she said.
“I know better than that,” Robin said. “Besides, I think tobacco’s gross.”
Dad smiled and sighed. “I’m glad to hear that,” he said. “But do me a favor. Don’t buy that kind of bubble gum anymore, OK?” he said.
TO DISCUSS: Did knowing the right way home do Robin any good? Why not? Does knowing what’s right guarantee that we’ll make right choices? What else should we do?
TO PRAY: “Lord, help us to know the right thing and do the right thing.”