When we think about being good, we will think about doing good. A good person will do good to others. A good person will think good of others. A good person will speak good of others. There is no ill intention in such a person. As children of God, we reflect the goodness of God in our daily life. As we abide in Christ Jesus, we will bear the fruit of the Spirit.
Some reflective questions for us to assess ourselves in regard to “Be Good. Do Good”. Have you been good to others in thoughts, words and deeds? What good are you doing currently? Are they good for the recipients? When you do good, what is your motivation? Is doing good what you are called to do?
In Ephesians 2:10, I am reminded that “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” We bear the image of God. We are God’s works of arts, God’s wonderful creation, God’s instruments. His goodness is extended to us and exhibited in and through us. We cannot do otherwise but follow what He has shown us in His righteous and holy Word. We walk in His goodness in our daily life. God has prepared each one of us, His beloved children, in being good and doing good. So, without the goodness of God, there will not be genuine goodness.
When we look at this word, “good”, what are we referring to? What is considered or classified as “good”? “Good” is that which is morally right, that is, righteousness; that which brings benefit or advantage to someone. “Good” is that which encourages someone when they need it most. “Good” is that which ministers to someone at an appropriate and timely manner. “Good” brings delights to God and to others. “Good” proceeds out of the goodness of God. It is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22a) that every child of God should be bearing in their life. We experience the goodness of God and therefore, we display it in our daily lives in Christ.
In Galatians 6:9-10, we are instructed to do good and not to grow weary of doing good but to persevere in doing good. We also are to seize opportunities to do good to everyone, especially to those who are of the same faith.
Where shall we begin to do good and how shall we do it? We may begin in the Discipleship Group (DG) which we are currently in. It is a good environment to be good and to do good to one another. When a DG meets regularly, it brings encouragement and support to each other in that DG. This is what doing good to one another imply. When we meet each other, we can have the opportunity to show care and concern for each other. We share with each other our need and we pray for each other’s need. This is what doing life together is all about. We find out how each one is doing or is going through in the past weeks. This lends support to each other. We are a faith community of believers. We need each other and so, we lift each other with encouraging words. “Doing good” can henceforth being practised in every DG. If each DG member makes the effort to call one another up or even send an encouraging text message, then this DG is having a good connection with one another. We need to keep connected and not live isolated life. We want to bring cheer and gladness to each other’s life. When DG members learn to be open to each other, they are doing good to each other and to the whole DG.
In Titus 3:8, we are instructed that “The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” There is a great need to give our devotion to doing what is good because they are excellent and profitable for people. Let us not withhold good from others who deserve it when it is in our power to act. One thing we owe each other is “doing good” to each other. Look at how much good that God has bestowed upon you! Should you give it or should you withhold it?
Let me give some examples which you can do good to others. Meeting someone or visiting someone is one way of doing good. Guiding someone who desires to learn the Word of God is a good thing to do. When someone needs a listening ear, being there to support and encourage them by listening patiently to what they are sharing with you. Be sure that you keep confidential what has been shared. We want to be trustworthy. Learning to think first before speaking to others helps to remove unnecessary misunderstandings among us. This is also part of doing good to the people whom we are relating to. Having a close walk with God will help us in knowing and learning how to do good to one another. “Do not be wise in your own eyes” (Proverbs 3:7) is something that the Lord Jesus is teaching me. When I am open to others, I will learn and prosper. I must learn to be humble, obedient and teachable. This is the process of practising what is good and beneficial to the community around me.
“Being good and doing good” are not easy. I will sow the good seed and God will reap the good harvest. I just need to persevere in doing good and not grow weary in doing good. I will do what I can and leave the result to God.
May I encourage us to experience the transforming power of God! Cultivating a close walk with Jesus helps us in doing good. Let us bring encouragement to each other by doing good as the Lord Jesus leads and directs us.
