Do Good

Scripture

1 Peter 2:21 (NLT)

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

Consider

To do good to someone who has abused and insulted you is nothing short of a holy task.

Kindness does not come naturally to us when we’ve been injured by another’s cruelty or carelessness. Our earthly nature instinctively turns us defensive and even vengeful. Injured pride and insecurity can drive us deep into survival mode, arming us for a fight and armoring us against such “soft” feelings as kindness or forgiveness.

We are fortunate that such “soft” qualities do, in fact, come naturally to our heavenly Father. Ironically, the very qualities that the world sees as weak, our holy God deems essential gear for living in a world racked with suffering and sin. Moreover, God gives us his Spirit to help us live righteous lives because God knows we could never achieve such goodness on our own.

We who follow Christ stand out because we do the unnatural in our relationships—we do good when the world expects evil. The Holy Spirit fills a willing heart with both the desire and the means to cultivate those soft qualities—also called the fruit of God’s Spirit—so that we can do good to those who hurt us.

Soft qualities we need for forgiving:

  • love
  • joy
  • peace
  • patience
  • kindness
  • goodness
  • faithfulness
  • gentleness
  • self-control

Pray

Heavenly Father, you know my wounds, and you know how much they hurt. I don’t have it in me to always love and forgive the people who mistreat me. All I can do, Father, is offer you my wounds and my desire to be close to you. Give me your heart, Lord. By your Spirit plant a seed in me that will grow the fruit I need to do good in your holy Name.

Reflect

Psalm 34:12-14; Galatians 5:22-23

Share

Why is doing good to those who mistreat us so difficult?

Do You Love Me?

Scripture

John 21:15-17 NLT

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Consider

In God’s kingdom, relationship matters more than performance. God’s first and greatest commandment is not to live a perfect life but to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. God is less interested in our list of good deeds than he is in our answer to his simple question: Do you love Me?

Continue reading >>

An Honest Life

Scripture

Psalm 32:1-2, NLT

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

Consider

What a relief it would be to live a life of complete honesty. Imagine never having to hide a part of yourself or guard against eyes that see behind your social mask. How refreshing to bring all of yourself into a relationship, every bit of you, knowing you would be accepted and loved and valued despite your flaws, your foolish choices and hurtful actions.

Continue reading >>

Overturning the Unholy

Scripture

Matthew 21:12-13 (NLT)

Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”

Consider

The Scripture passage Jesus quotes is from Isaiah 56. The complete quote is, “My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations.

Continue reading >>

Disciple’s Cross

Scripture

Mark 15:20-21 (NIV)

And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.

Consider

Weakened from his brutal scourging, Jesus was probably unable to carry his patibulum, or crossbeam, which would be fastened to the vertical beam already in place on Golgotha to form his death cross.

Continue reading >>

Subscribe!

Want my free resource,  “Ten Do’s and Don’ts for Healthy Relationships,” plus my latest posts, delivered to your email inbox?