EXERCISE GOODNESS

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it.

Good people obtain favor from the Lord, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.

The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs.

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.

Proverbs 11:27, 12:2, 14:14, 14:22

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 3 John 1:11

These words from the Apostle John are a great summation of the direction we find in the Bible regarding the matter of doing good. Not surprisingly, at the heart of the matter is God.

Those who are in and of Him will do good for He is good. Anyone who has not seen Him and thus will have no relation with Him will do evil. It’s really one way or the other with no middle ground. You either are living in righteousness (or living right) and goodness or you’re living in sin and the evil it manifests.

The Bible has more to say to us regarding the matter of doing good. Here are some of the things we should always remember:

1. We were created to do good in Christ.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Jesus Christ...gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 13b-14

From the moment we were formed in the womb, God, our Creator Father, created us to do good, not through our own initiative but rather through the influence of Christ, His only Son and our Savior. Through accepting Christ into our hearts and minds, avowing to live for Him, we will be as eager to do good as He was – and goodness was one of the qualities that Jesus personified.

2. When we place out trust in the Lord, good results.

Trust in the Lord and do good. Psalm 37:3a

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23a

The Lord is good, perfectly good. And when we place our trust in Him, then we will bear the fruits of goodness for His will and way always guides us there.

3. We can overcome evil.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

I’ve always held to this thought when dealing with others: Love will always win the day. You can never go wrong when you love someone with the love of the Lord and I do believe that in loving, which when done in the Spirit of the Lord is good and perfect, we can overcome the bad in our world through good and even transform those who once did evil. I’ve experienced it first hand and maybe you have as well.

4. We are to tirelessly pursue goodness.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people. Galatians 6:10

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:15b

Just as the Lord never tires in doing good for us, we are to never rest in our efforts to do good in the lives of others in every opportunity that presents itself. When we allow Jesus to be our leader and guide, then goodness becomes a natural part of our DNA as Christians.

5. There are consequences for not doing good.

Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so that it may go well with you. Deuteronomy 6:18

Living in obedience to the word and will of the Lord, doing what is right in His sight, ensures that things will go well for us as we exercise goodness. Conversely, choosing sin, evil, and wickedness will result only in His judgment and negative consequence.

There’s a lot at stake and, again, we can turn to God’s word to see just how much. Here’s what happens when we choose evil over good:

1. We will live in sin.

If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. James 4:17

Disobedience to God is nothing short of sin. Plain and simple. And God despises and detests sin. No one should want to be on His bad side. No one.

2. We will fall out of the Lord’s favor.

Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it. Proverbs 11:27

Good people obtain favor from the Lord, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes. Proverbs 12:2

We’ve seen that our behavior falls into two clear cut categories. We either follow the Lord and do good or turn from Him and do evil. The results of our decision are also clear cut. Choosing good brings the Lord’s favor because we have decided to follow His direction. Conversely, those who opt for evil will only find the Lord’s condemnation. And that will not bode well for anyone as we move to number 3.

3. We will experience trouble and distress.

There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil…but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good. Romans 2:9-10

Choosing sin and evil will result in trouble and distress, not manufactured by man but rather by the Lord who condemns every human being who does evil. There’s no gray area in this word of God so if you want trouble, just keep sinning and it will find you. Better to repent, get back on good terms with the Lord, and experience glory, honor, and peace.

 4. We will find ourselves lost and astray.

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. Proverbs 14:22

Jesus made it very clear that the path we are to walk, the good path of righteousness, is narrow. Only those who take His hand and follow this path will find life (Matthew 7:13-14). Conversely, those who choose evil stray off the narrow way and find themselves on the wide path which ultimately leads to destruction and the final point for today.

5. Death awaits those who decide to do evil over good, sin over righteousness.

The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs. Proverbs 14:14

Those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. John 5:29

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 3:10

The faithless, those who decide sin is more important than righteousness, will be repaid for their evil. Jesus warned that the ax was at the root of all trees. Those that did not produce good fruit would be cut down and burned; those who did bear good fruit would be rewarded.

When Christ returns, those who believed and trusted in Him, following His will, way, and life, will rise to be with Him and receive the reward of eternal life (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). It will be the best day ever for them.

Conversely, those who shunned Jesus, will not have their name written in the book of life and thus find themselves cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). It will be their worse day ever.

So what will it be for you today?

Will you opt to exercise goodness in all that you do, allowing Jesus to lead you in that direction through His will and way?

Or will you choose the way of sin, rejecting Jesus in exchange for judgment, wrath, and ultimately destruction?

Given these choices, no one in their right mind should want to live in any other way than the good and perfect way the Lord brings.

If you’re living that way now, continue and experience the blessings of obedience.

If you’re not living for the Lord, don’t let another second go by without making a change that will save you now and forever. The Lord is waiting to receive you and show you the way to goodness.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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