1 Peter 3:13-14 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.”

Will people harm you if you do the right thing? Of course they will! Those who stand up to evil will be persecuted and harmed for doing so. That is why many chose to say nothing and do nothing. They want to cruise through life under the radar, without making any waves. They fear repercussions and reprisals if they stand up for what it right.

A long time ago someone gave me some advice that I have shared with a lot of people in my life, and I continue to share it: “You will never regret doing the right thing.” I have found that to be true in my life. Oh, sure, Satan has made me question my decisions to do the right thing, but I have not regretted living my life that way. Do I always do the right thing? I wish! The times I did not do the right thing are the ones I remember and regret.

Any suffering that I may have endured or encountered in this life for choosing to do what God would have me do is inconsequential. I try to make my choices in the context of knowing what Jesus did for me. He did good, always. He did the “right thing.” And He was put to death for it. Willingly. He did that for the life of the world. He paid the penalty for all the times I chose not to “do good.” And that assures me of forgiveness.

An old hymn came to mind as I was pondering this passage. I hope this will speak to you today.

How can I thank Thee, Lord, For all they loving-kindness,
That Thou hast patiently Borne with me in my blindness?
When dead in many sins And trespasses I lay,
I kindled, holy God, Thine anger every day. 

It is Thy work alone That I am now converted;
O’er Satan’s work in me Thou hast Thy pow’r asserted.
Thy mercy and Thy grace That rise afresh each morn
Have turned my stony heart Into a heart new-born.

I could but grieve Thee, Lord, And with my sins displease Thee;
Yet to atone for sin My works could not appease Thee.
Though I could fall from grace And choose the way of sin,
I had no strength to rise, A new life to begin.

But Thou hast raised me up To joy and exultation
And clearly shown the way That leads me to salvation.
My sins are washed away, For this I thank Thee, Lord;
And with my heart and soul All dead works are abhorred.

Grant that Thy Spirit’s help To me be always given
Lest I should fall again And lose the way to heaven;
That He may give me strength In mine infirmity
And e’er renew my heart To serve Thee willingly.

Oh, guide and lead me, Lord, While here below I wander
That I may follow Thee Till I shall see Thee yonder.
For if I led myself, I soon would go astray;
But if Thou leadest me, I keep the narrow way.

O Father, God of Love, Hear Thou my supplication;
O Savior, Son of God, Grant my Thy full salvation;
And Thou, O Holy Ghost, Be Thou my faithful Guide
That I may serve Thee here And there with Thee abide.
(The Lutheran Hymnal #417)

To serve thee willingly … that I may follow Thee … I keep the narrow way.

Lord, knowing what you have done for me, keep me always “eager to do good.”