Then Pilate announced . . . “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” . . . But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. (Luke 23:4, 23; NIV)
Duke Cunningham was an ace pilot and decorated war hero from Vietnam. He was chosen for the respected position of Instructor at the Top Gun Flight School. He received three silver stars, a purple heart, and has more than two dozen military medals and awards. In 1990, he ran for congress in the United States and won. He served in the House of Representatives for fifteen years. He not only attended worship his whole life, Duke Cunningham received many accolades for being a good, honest Christian man. However, in 2005, Cunningham resigned from Congress. On November 28, 2005, Cunningham pleaded guilty to tax evasion, conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud, and wire fraud in federal court in San Diego. While admitting he knew what was right and wrong, Cunningham admitted at a Press Conference the following: “The truth is—I broke the law, concealed my conduct, and disgraced my high office.”
Duke Cunningham knew what was right but failed to do it. He was seduced to violate his own personal and professional ethical standards by bribes from Defense Industries worth millions of dollars. Though promising to atone for his sins, he had failed God when the stakes were high. He vowed in that press statement to “use the remaining time that God grants me to make amends”. Still, the damage was done to his reputation, his family, and his legacy.
You may look at Duke Cunningham as a man deserving forgiveness. Many felt that way. He was repentant for his sins. Sadly, this war hero is just one more example of those who knew what was right but failed to do it. Cunningham regretted this failure the rest of his days.
Every one of us will be judged by God someday. Not many will take millions of dollars in bribes, but many will be judged for knowing what was right but failing to do it. They might have been motivated by pride, prejudice, peer pressure, or guilt. Hidden in the secret lives of many are examples of when they went against their own values, principles, or faith. They may have broken laws. They may have broken hearts. But all too many can admit that they knew what was right but in a weak moment plainly failed to do it.
Christians are knowledgeable of the Ten Commandments. They know that idolatry, murder, adultery and other sins go against God’s law. You may not break one of the Ten Commandments of Exodus 20 but still be disobedient by knowing what is right but failing to do it.
Tina learned this the hard way. While standing in the hallway at her high school, Tina witnessed a group of girls teasing and harassing a freshman girl. Everybody else walked on past. Tina felt God calling her to help. Tina slowed, then stopped. When one of the older girls gave her a nasty look, Tina hurried to class without hesitation. To this day, some twenty years later, Tina still looks back at that moment with shame. She didn’t break one of the Ten Commandments, but she sure knows she disobeyed God. What is the cause of her shame? She knew what was right but failed to do it.
The scripture for today from the gospel of Luke contains a biblical example of this sinful act. When Roman Governor and Prefect Pontius Pilate was called to make a judgment in the case of Jesus, he initially found Jesus innocent. Pilate told the Jewish people what is recorded in Luke 23:4: “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” Still, when pushed by the Jewish authorities, when people shouted for Jesus to be crucified, Pilate relented. Luke 23:23 carries Pilate’s sin. Pilate let “their shouts prevail”. He gave into the crowd. He went against what he knew in his heart was right. He sentenced Jesus to death.
Publicly, Pontius Pilate tried to give his excuse. He washed his hands of the crime, blaming the Jewish people for Jesus’ death. But Pontius Pilate played his part. He was the final Roman authority. He could have done what was right but failed.
In a comment on this very scripture, Billy Graham wrote words that bear repeating:
“But the name of Pontius Pilate will also stand forever as a prime example of someone who knew what was right—but failed to do it. Repeatedly, he told the mob clamoring for Jesus’ death that he found no basis for condemning Him—but in the end, he caved in to the pressures of the crowd and ordered His death. Publicly he washed his hands and told the crowd that they alone were responsible for Jesus’ death (Matthew 27:24), but in reality Pilate’s cowardice sent Jesus to the cross.
How often do you cave in to the pressures of the crowd, seeking the approval of others instead of the approval of God? We all like to be liked—but that can be a very dangerous thing. Make it your goal to live for Christ and be faithful to Him, regardless of what the crowd demands.” (p. 196, Hope for Each Day).
There will be moments when God needs you to stand up for what you believe. The Holy Spirit will confirm what is right at that crucial time. I hope you have the courage to do the right thing. All too many walk right past a wrong, fail their own values, or look the other way. I guarantee you will live to regret those moments when you knew what was right but failed to do it, no matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise.
Yes, doing what is right may cost you. You may agonize over your decision. But God rewards those who stand with Him.
Duke Cunningham knew what was right but failed to do it. He was seduced to violate his own personal and professional ethical standards by bribes from Defense Industries worth millions of dollars. Though promising to atone for his sins, he had failed God when the stakes were high. He vowed in that press statement to “use the remaining time that God grants me to make amends”. Still, the damage was done to his reputation, his family, and his legacy.
You may look at Duke Cunningham as a man deserving forgiveness. Many felt that way. He was repentant for his sins. Sadly, this war hero is just one more example of those who knew what was right but failed to do it. Cunningham regretted this failure the rest of his days.
Every one of us will be judged by God someday. Not many will take millions of dollars in bribes, but many will be judged for knowing what was right but failing to do it. They might have been motivated by pride, prejudice, peer pressure, or guilt. Hidden in the secret lives of many are examples of when they went against their own values, principles, or faith. They may have broken laws. They may have broken hearts. But all too many can admit that they knew what was right but in a weak moment plainly failed to do it.
Christians are knowledgeable of the Ten Commandments. They know that idolatry, murder, adultery and other sins go against God’s law. You may not break one of the Ten Commandments of Exodus 20 but still be disobedient by knowing what is right but failing to do it.
Tina learned this the hard way. While standing in the hallway at her high school, Tina witnessed a group of girls teasing and harassing a freshman girl. Everybody else walked on past. Tina felt God calling her to help. Tina slowed, then stopped. When one of the older girls gave her a nasty look, Tina hurried to class without hesitation. To this day, some twenty years later, Tina still looks back at that moment with shame. She didn’t break one of the Ten Commandments, but she sure knows she disobeyed God. What is the cause of her shame? She knew what was right but failed to do it.
The scripture for today from the gospel of Luke contains a biblical example of this sinful act. When Roman Governor and Prefect Pontius Pilate was called to make a judgment in the case of Jesus, he initially found Jesus innocent. Pilate told the Jewish people what is recorded in Luke 23:4: “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” Still, when pushed by the Jewish authorities, when people shouted for Jesus to be crucified, Pilate relented. Luke 23:23 carries Pilate’s sin. Pilate let “their shouts prevail”. He gave into the crowd. He went against what he knew in his heart was right. He sentenced Jesus to death.
Publicly, Pontius Pilate tried to give his excuse. He washed his hands of the crime, blaming the Jewish people for Jesus’ death. But Pontius Pilate played his part. He was the final Roman authority. He could have done what was right but failed.
In a comment on this very scripture, Billy Graham wrote words that bear repeating:
“But the name of Pontius Pilate will also stand forever as a prime example of someone who knew what was right—but failed to do it. Repeatedly, he told the mob clamoring for Jesus’ death that he found no basis for condemning Him—but in the end, he caved in to the pressures of the crowd and ordered His death. Publicly he washed his hands and told the crowd that they alone were responsible for Jesus’ death (Matthew 27:24), but in reality Pilate’s cowardice sent Jesus to the cross.
How often do you cave in to the pressures of the crowd, seeking the approval of others instead of the approval of God? We all like to be liked—but that can be a very dangerous thing. Make it your goal to live for Christ and be faithful to Him, regardless of what the crowd demands.” (p. 196, Hope for Each Day).
There will be moments when God needs you to stand up for what you believe. The Holy Spirit will confirm what is right at that crucial time. I hope you have the courage to do the right thing. All too many walk right past a wrong, fail their own values, or look the other way. I guarantee you will live to regret those moments when you knew what was right but failed to do it, no matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise.
Yes, doing what is right may cost you. You may agonize over your decision. But God rewards those who stand with Him.