When I write about “good”, I am writing about the goodness of God and of Christ. Without the goodness of God and of Christ, there can be no genuine goodness! In Christ Jesus, we are created to do good works and to walk in them (see Ephesians 2:10). When we are doing good works, we are doing good. May God’s goodness be reflected in our daily life with Jesus when we are doing good. What is “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 one aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) that every child of God should be bearing in their lives. We experience the goodness of God and therefore, we display it in our daily lives in Christ.
How can we excel in doing good? We can begin in our respective Discipleship Groups (DGs) for those who are currently involved in a DG. It is a good environment where the goodness of God can be displayed. When a DG meets regularly, it brings encouragement to one another in the DG. This is what doing good to one another implies. When we see each other whether in person or through virtual means, we have an opportunity to show care and concern for each other. We share with one another our needs and we pray for each other’s needs. This is what doing life together is all about. We find out how each one is doing or going through during this pandemic. This lends support to each other. We are a community of believers in Christ. We need each other and so, we lift up each other with encouraging words. “Doing good” can henceforth being practised in every DG. If DG members make the effort to call one another up or even send a 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 cheers and gladness to each other’s life. When DG members learn to open up to each other, they are doing good to each other and to the whole DG.
We can learn from our Lord Jesus in Acts 10:38, “… how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” Jesus Christ our Lord went around doing good. Likewise, we who are children of God and of Light, should imitate Christ Jesus our good Shepherd. We can pray for those who are sick and depressed among us, trusting God to heal and deliver them. We can ask our Lord Jesus to lead us to those who need words of encouragement and then, trusting God to give us His encouraging words for them.
We can also learn from the apostle Paul when he instructed Titus in Titus 3:8, “This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” There is a great need to give our devotion to doing what is good because they are excellent and profitable for everyone. Let us not withhold good from others who deserve it when it is in your power to act (see Proverbs 3:27). One thing that we owe each other and that is “doing good” to each other. Look at how much goodness that God has bestowed upon you! Should you give it or should you withhold it?
Let me give you some examples which you can be doing good to one another. Making a phone call or texting a message to a brother or sister in Christ is part of the discipleship of doing good to one another. Visiting someone or connecting via virtual means with another person is another way of doing good or demonstrating goodness. Guiding or helping someone who desires to study the Word of God by taking him or her through an intentional Bible Study is indeed a good thing which you can do for them. When someone needs a listening ear, be there with them to support and encourage them by listening patiently to what he or she has to share with you in private. Be sure that you keep confidential whatever has been shared with you. We want to be trustworthy and be trusted. Learning to think first before speaking to others will help 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 our Lord Jesus will help each one of 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, be obedient and be teachable. This is the process of practising what is good and beneficial to the community around me.
“Doing good” is never an easy thing to do. I will sow the good seeds 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 encounter God and experience the transforming power of God! Cultivating a close walk with Jesus our Lord helps each one of us in doing good. Let us bring encouragement to each other by doing good as the Lord Jesus leads and directs us.
