Doing the Right Thing

“All behavior is motivated.”  One of the few statements I recall from countless university professor lectures.

Doing something because it’s the right thing to do, happens more in my life nowadays.  I hope it is a sign of maturing, not just getting older.  Character is revealed when decision-making is based upon principle over preference.  For me, the grace of Jesus Christ overrides my personal biases and tendencies, which find their root in self.  Self has its root in sin.  Christ deals with the problem at its core. 

Because something is the right thing to do, it is rarely convenient; yet truly significant.  Example in years past: visiting my alzheimer’s Father, who forgets I have called the moment I walk out of his room, and soon will not recognize me when I walk in.  —It’s the right thing to do. 

You do the right thing:

1. Not because it’s...

  • The Easy thing to do
  • The Fun thing to do
  • The Popular thing to do
2. But because it is…
  • The Difficult thing to do
  • The Demanding thing to do
  • The Decent thing to do

When you: donate a kidney, pick up rubbish, return extra change at the counter, obey the speed limit, report family abuse, dismiss gossip, change the channel, cheer for Purdue, file accurate tax deductions, own up to a mistake, give up your seat for an elder; you live at the next level.  Simply, “It’s the right thing to do”.

APPLICATION:  You have only so many days left on the planet.  It is your choice to spend them in pursuit of the meaningful or trivial.  The Bible urges:  “Making the most of your days”, “Be not weary in doing good”.  Particularly clear for Christians is Corinthians, “whatever you do, do all for the glory of God”.

“All behavior is motivated”.  No motive better than simply because, “It’s the right thing to do”.

** Supplemental considerations:

  • Who’s definition of “Right” are we going to use?  Personal, Society’s, or God’s?  (i.e.  Internal, External, or Eternal?)
  • People are either inwardly constrained or must be outwardly restrained.  (i.e. Either God or Guns keep us in line.) 
  • Society demonstrably functions better when we behave congruent to our higher nature. (e.g. Crime, Oppression, War if we don’t.)
  • Personal fulfillment increases when we have acted properly, benevolently, even sacrificially. 
  • Mark Twain famously said, “It is never wrong to do the right thing”.