What's good?

Our chief at work would ask us during the huddle, "What's good?". I cannot think of anything, especially on Mondays when staying in bed is my idea of good. I have to think it through because sometimes goodness is just hard to find.

Physics postulates that a body at rest or in motion will remain so unless acted upon by a force. Perhaps this is, in a sense applicable to a believer’s life where there are a lot of internal and external forces adding friction to the work we are trying to accomplish for God. These forces can either prevent us from doing good or even get in the way of us trying. No question that the days are evil and opposition to anything that has to do with God is widespread. Even still, the bible instructs us to not be discouraged and pursue good work. This is not because it's part of the equation for salvation rather it is a fruit of it. Nothing can be added to the grace that has been poured out by the blood of Jesus when He died for us. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8)

Unrecognized or unreciprocated goodness can cause our hearts to falter. As we run the race set before us, we can find ourselves exhausted with our cross getting heavier with every passing moment. We are called to actively wait for the coming of the Lord by partaking in His Kingdom's work. Why should we care to do good? Here are a few.

For the Reward

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life (Gal 6:7-8)

Yes. The Lord is a rewarder, whether we like it or not, He is a generous God. He has principles to appropriate rewards according to His encompassing will which can be beyond human understanding.

We might be reluctant to respond the next time someone asks for help because we've done thankless favors or face the increasing difficulty of forgiving the person whom we "know" is bound to commit the same mistake. Even if the flesh calls us to retaliate, we should commit our hearts and minds to choose what is good. The reward is not just something earthbound. It might not even be close to the good things we’ve sown. We should rejoice it’s not something perishable because it’s even better - being with the Lord where there is eternal peace and joy. It’s a delight to know we can be with the One who loves us!

Jesus is our reward!

For God’s Glory

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 5:16)

We are called to be salt and light. A beam that illuminates a dark world. We are expected to go counterflow against the corruption of the world, to do the right thing even if everyone around us tells us it’s okay to do otherwise, to stand with integrity around opposition knowing that God holds all the power and justice and He will deliver. Even when we don’t get the righteous and just dealings, we can rest because what matters is we are right with our LORD. In all of it, God gets the glory of a Christian life testifying His enduring grace. Beloved, it’s not over until God says it is, inside and out, go forward for the good and His glory!

For our Sanctification

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).

We are not the only ones in pursuit of doing good. The moment we accepted Jesus and repented of our sins, God started working in us and through us. When faced with human reasoning as to whether or not we will choose to do what's right, we can come to God and ask Him to renew our minds. The challenge is not only in doing but in persisting. The more we submit to His will, despite how we feel about a person or a situation, the more we allow the sanctifying power of God to work in us. We do good not out of compulsion, but because we honor what is righteous in God's eyes. It's difficult to turn the other cheek, give our cloak and tunics, or pray for our enemies because it's against our sinful nature. We are being sanctified, made pure and holy by resisting this very character to be able to walk in goodness until were are made complete at the day of our Savior and Lord.