While attending the FHU Benefit dinner a few years ago, Sherrye and I were privileged to hear General Norman Schwarzkopf give a talk. He covered several things that had occurred throughout his military career and how he was able to cope under so much pressure in the Gulf War and Operation Desert Storm. He offered 2 rules that guided him in all of his decisions in life, whether personal or in the military. First, when placed in command, take charge. Second, do what is right. He went on to say that you always know the right thing to do, the hard part is doing it.
The scriptures showed these same 2 rules many years before General Schwarzkopf came along.
Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). We have been placed in Command of carrying the gospel to the world AND we must “take charge” to actively pursue every way we can to see that it gets done.
Jesus knew we could know “what is right” when he said, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:24).
Paul wanted to do “what is right,” but he knew just how hard it is to always do what is right. Paul, when writing to the Romans, said “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out” (Romans 7:18).
Luke records “what is right” in Acts 5:29 – “We must obey God rather than men.”
By obeying the gospel of Christ we are doing “what is right.” Paul reminded the Thessalonians that Jesus would be revealed from heaven “in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 1:8).
Let us all dedicate ourselves to taking charge and doing “what is right.”
For the elders, Gregg Woodall