Do Good!

Do Good! 

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 KJV

The background to today's extract is a charge to people referred to as 'brethren'; not mere churchgoers, church members or simply attendees in a spiritual meeting. These are people who have been washed by the blood, purified and set apart for noble use. These are people who know the standard set up by God, and strive to live by these on a daily basis. These are the ones today's extract speaks to.

Parts of the commission for these people are noted in the verse before today's extract:......brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. If I do not have the essential materials, there is no way I can carry out these assignments.

How do I warn, when I don't know the warnings myself? How do I provide comfort when I don't know the Comforter Himself or experienced His touch at some point in my life? How do I support the weak if I am not also helped by God? And how can I be patient with all men, if I do not appreciate the work of the Spirit of God in me? So, before I can reach out and impact, there must be a work done in me first.

It is on this basis that today's extract will then apply. If I then know whose I am and who I serve, impact is non-negotiable. Men must know that I serve a living God and live by different standards. My life becomes a testament to the power of God and what it can accomplish in a surrendered life. Then, I can speak under God's authority and regulate my environment. Evil shouldn't thrive where I am, and even if it threatens, men know that I will not join in to promote evil. 

My life becomes a message. It is my responsibility, as God's ambassador on earth, to promote God's standard. I must see to it that evil doesn't thrive. I must see to it that good, God's style, is promoted by all I say and do. You see, all I do becomes the standard by which the life of God is revealed in me. I can never rise above my contents. If it is God, He will shine out. 

And this good must be seen by all men, believers or otherwise. Of what use is a life that doesn't point men's hearts back to God, challenging them to seek Him and please Him? The world seeks a difference; be that difference. His time of favour is here