Sunday, August 22, 2010

Sunday Rewind: My Goodness?

Our last post mentioned a man who claimed at the poker table to be "a good person" -- even though he said false words during hands to throw opponents off the track.

What does it mean to be a good person, anyway? You can buy food or drinks for other players. You can compliment players who win big pots. There's nothing wrong with those things at all. But Jesus defines being good in a different way....

"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." -- Matthew 19:17

Jesus goes on to list several of the Ten Commandments, including a couple that man claimed to do the other night: "Do not steal, do not give false testimony.... and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" (verses 18-19)

But when you do good, it's important to point out the goodness does not come from you -- or at least shouldn't come from you. Where's the real source?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.... -- Galatians 5:22


Real goodness should come from the Holy Spirit working in your life.

A few verses later, Paul urges a church to keep doing good things -- and "do good to all people...." (Galatians 6:9-10) We'd urge you to do the same thing. But if you're commended for doing good, don't pile it up as if you have a stack of "good chips." Give glory and praise to God, for whatever good He's really doing through you.

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