Doing Good

Sometimes, even when I think I am trying to do something good, the results are confusing. Maybe some selfish motives entered the process. Perhaps I didn’t fully understand the situation. It is only when I am led by God and empowered by His Spirit that I can honestly say that the good that I wanted to do was truly accomplished. His leading provides the standard for good, and His Spirit provides the ability to do good.

Psalm 19:8-9 says, “the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.” Whenever we struggle with doing the good things, we can remember that doing good makes our hearts rejoice, brightens our outlook, and reveals truth.

Waters Cover the Sea

Today, we spent some time on the shore of Lake Michigan. As far as we could see, we could only see water. I don’t know how much water is in this lake, but I do know that it’s a lot of water, and this is just one of the Great Lakes.

Habbakuk 2:14 says, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” Whether we choose to acknowledge this truth or not, God has covered the whole earth with the knowledge of His glory. It can be seen in the birds in flight, the waves on the seas, the crash of lightning and thunder, the power of a mighty waterfall, and the precious cry of a newly born baby. In the end, we will all bow to the knowledge of His glory.

Arrayed in Glory

At this time every year, the city of Holland, Michigan has what they call the Tulip Time Festival. Tulips are everywhere, adorning the streets, shops, and fields. I am not really a flower guy, but I admit the site is pretty spectacular. Some people try to match the glory of tulips in bloom by applying makeup, buying fancy clothing, and wearing jewelry. Like the tulips, their glory is temporary and misguided.

In Matthew 6:28-29 Jesus says, “And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” We can be anxious about so many things? Most of these things we can little about. However, if we trust God, instead of being anxious, He will do something more beautiful than we can imagine. The glory that God creates in us is eternal and exceeds the glory available in this world.

Trying to Do Good

We often defend ourselves by talking about good intentions or blaming others for the wrong that we believe they did. However, if our intentions were truly honorable, we would have acted with compassion instead of judgment. In God’s view, good hearts are valued over good works.

In Matthew 12:7, Jesus says, ” And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.” Sometimes, in our efforts to do what is right, we can become heartless and judge others. Let’s ask God to fill us with His compassion and mercy.

Inside Track

Sometimes, we or other people may come upon significant information that others do not possess. This information may help us make good and beneficial decisions. Too often, we hear of people misusing insider information only for their own good. This information is not shared with others in an effort to gain more selfish benefit for the hearer. Imagine that someone possessed information regarding an effective cure for cancer, but did not share it with the world until this person gained maximum selfish benefit. We would be appalled and furious with this person.

Ephesians 1:9-10 says, “making known to us the mystery o his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fulness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” We have been given the most precious inside information concerning God’s will for us and for all people. This information is that God is bringing all things regarding salvation and eternity together in Christ. He wants us to be the messengers of this mystery to all people.