Articles
Add To Your Faith...
OK, pull in your toes today.
"If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, IT IS SIN FOR THEM." (James 4:17)
A lot of people, perhaps, don't know that verse is in the Bible. Most of us I'm sure are aware of it and many can quote it. But when we look back at the end of a day or when we prepare ourselves to come before God in prayer and are considering what sins we have committed, do we include passing up opportunities to do good as being sinful?
Doing good certainly includes not repaying evil for evil, but is it more than that? No doubt it is! Jesus calls us to set aside our normal human temperament and reactions when someone wrongs us, and instead repay evil with good (Rom 12:21). But we are also commanded “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal 6:10). Hopefully our brothers and sisters in Christ are not being evil towards us so what does this mean?
We are told to let our lights shine (Matt 5:16) so people can see our "good" works. Our shining lights and being especially good and loving toward our Christian family has a result that will teach the sinful world about our faith, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
Peter adds, "...Make every effort to add to your faith goodness..." (2nd Peter 1:5) This is one of the really big things in life that grows our faith and keeps it strong, and allows our light to shine.
Let us put our effort into looking for and trying our best to do good in front of people, not arrogantly, but so that they may glorify God because they see good people doing more good, and may our hearts be set on helping people and loving people to benefit them. Let us consider the ways Jesus did this as an example to us.
""God, help us to see and take advantage of doing good things when You open a door and give us the opportunity, and help us to know and understand what You expect of us every single day as You command us to "do good""".
