If You Know Better Do Better

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a

lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the

same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give

glory to your Father who is in heaven.” - Matthew 5 :14-16

Walking against tide

Abraham Trusted and followed (Gen 12:1,4; Gen 22:2-3) Daniel - prayed openly (Daniel

6:10). Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - refused to bow (Daniel 3).

Walking against the tide is standing for righteousness, being firm in your conviction even

when the worldly tides are rising, and the waves of unrighteousness seem to be crashing

into the shores all around you. Walking against the tide is to remain grounded in Godly

principles. If you know better, do better.

Each of the accounts above illustrates principles of righteousness for Christians today,

each also illustrate how God is always with us, and He has a greater plan, a plan beyond

what we can see, a plan to lift us and position us for His glory. Such a plan may not be

revealed until we step, move forward, or stand remaining grounded in our position of

righteousness. Praise the Lord for He has already done it all! He has established provision,

all things are possible through Christ and His love will never abandon us (2 Cor 9:8, Phil

4:13, Deut. 31:8}. Abraham was willing to step and sacrifice his son Issac, God provided a

ram in the thicket. The Hebrew men where willing to stand for God and when the king (the

world) attempted to inflict consequences (ridicule, false judgement, persecution) God

stepped in; He closed the lions’ mouths, and although the heat was turned seven times

hotter, the three Hebrew boys were unscathed, not even the smell of soot was on them.

When everyone honored the king, the Hebrew men knew better so they did better. They did

not follow the worldly tide, they walked against it.

How does this look today? Well, it can be observed in our mannerism. As Christians we

must be Christ like always endeavouring to do the right, to turn the other cheek, to look at

situations differently, to love and to forgive, to refrain from sin. This is what we know, but is

it what we do?

If we know better, we must do better. The Spirit of God causes us to know, and whatsoever

we put before Him He will help us that we may do. But in that doing there is a leaning, a

reliance, not on ourselves, but we must lean and rely on God and God alone. He is our

strength; He is our courage, for only with Him is anything possible. Christ is our example,

and we are called to be like Christ therefore we must be an example. To show love and

kindness beyond hurt. To be slow to anger. To remove ourselves from gossip. To be aware

of our tone, our speech and our conduct. Are we exemplifying the nature and character of

Christ? Are we standing for righteousness? Are we becoming naked before the Lord, that

He can mend, that He can fix, that He can change, that He can transform. If you know

better do better.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let

us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.

And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. - Heb 12:1

May you be richly blessed