It is Good to Do Good – Day 14

Truth:

How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? Psalm 116:12 (New International Version)

Thought:

I don’t consider myself a modern thinker. I’m resistant to the labels others try to force on me.  I think about webs of relationships, not linear cause-and-effect. I can hold multiple conflicting thoughts without any angst. And I’m a follower of Christ.

I know this makes some people nervous. However, I’m believing that from post-post-modernity the greatest theologians in history will emerge.

I do have a problem with the way many people, especially those with my thinking process, carry out truth. We can believe something is true, but it doesn’t make a difference in our lives. Truth doesn’t matter if we don’t work out its implication into our lives. If it doesn’t matter, can it be true?

Let me give you an example.

Ask anyone to create a scale of goodness. Pick a spot on the wall – the top is good, the bottom is bad. Tell them to choose an example for the bottom – it’ll be someone like Hitler. Ask them to have an example for the top – Mother Teresa will usually come up.  Ask them where they think the average person in the world is on the continuum and depending on their view of life, the average will be anywhere from the middle of the scale or slightly below, up to halfway or to the top or slightly more.

Now, ask them to say where they are. We inevitably say we’re better than the average. (If you don’t think you are, you may have some issues with guilt. Read 1 John 1:9, then repent and know you’re forgiven.)

How can we all be better than average?

It is because we judge ourselves by our intention and judge everyone else by their actions.

Sorry news… the Bible tells us to judge goodness by what we do. Intentions are not good enough.  It’s not “being good’ that is important, it’s “doing good” that counts with God.

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.  Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will bless you for it. For the Scriptures say,
“If you want to enjoy life
and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies.
Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil.”
1 Peter 3:8-13 (New Living Translation)

So as we intentionally grow the fruit of goodness, we need to do “good”. We don’t need to feel “good”. We don’t need to think “good”. We need to do “good”.

And you already know what “good” is because you belong to the One who is Good.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Luke 6:31 (New International Version)

Who will you show goodness to today?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for creating me the way I am. Thank You I was born for this time and created for eternity. Thank You so much for the goodness You’ve shown me. Thank You for Your forgiveness and mercy and provision and blessing. Empower me, Holy Spirit, to show that same goodness to someone today.

Challenge:

Treat everyone today, the way you would want to be treated. That includes the telemarketer that calls during supper and the unenlightened individual that cuts you off in traffic while he or she was talking on there mobile. Make it a habit… who knows where it could lead?

Declaration:

I choose to reflect the light of the Son to the side of the world that’s away from the Son. I choose to put on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.