Standing For What Is Right
Most people are taught from a young age to stand up for what is right. In dealing with various issues and problems, there is often a side that is right and a side that is wrong. To stand for what is right is not always easy. One who stands for what is right must have inner strength, true character, and integrity. The one who stands up for what is right will need these virtues because he may have to stand against others and resist the temptation to please them. The pressure to please others and compromise one’s convictions can be strong.
A classic illustration of cowardice and compromise is seen in Pilate who turned his back on Jesus. After Pilate had interrogated Jesus, he knew that the Lord had done nothing wrong. Pilate stated, “I find in him no fault at all” (John 18:38). It seems that Pilate should have released Jesus. After all, Pilate admitted that Jesus was guilty of no crime. Why, then, did Pilate not release Him? The answer is found in Mark 15:15: “And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.” Notice that Pilate was “willing to content the people.” Pleasing the people was more important to Pilate that doing what was right. Why did he not have more compassion for Jesus? Why would he allow wicked sinners to brutalize God’s Son by scourging Him and crucifying Him? The answer is found in the cold and calloused words: “willing to content the people.”
How often the cause of truth and right suffers today because of cowardice and compromise! Some may compromise for the love of money; others, for popularity and power. The cause of truth and right suffers when young people give in to peer pressure and compromise their moral convictions, when parents give in to pressure from their children and allow them to go places and engage in activities which may be popular but wrong, when judges take bribes, when leaders in education ignore or cover-up problems in school, when political leaders care more about winning an election than about what is best for the people.
The way that is right is not always the easiest path to travel, but it is the only path that one can travel and please God. Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Let us all determine to do what is right, regardless of the cost!
