Do Good!

Do Good!

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10 KJV

The context of today's extract is on sowing and reaping. It is a law that was established by God after Noah's flood, along with summer and winter, day and night, cold and heat. My fruit will always look like the seed I put in the ground. I cannot put in corn seeds and expect to reap mangoes. There is no amount of prayer and fasting that will change that outcome. So, long before I see the fruit, I must take time to guard and watch the seed I put in the ground. That same principle applies in today's extract. 

Do not forget: today's extract is addressed to 'brethren'; people with a common allegiance to Jesus. If I am one, there is a code of conduct that I am bound by. That code of conduct does not permit me to do good simply because I will get it back in return from the person I did it to. It doesn't permit me to do good simply because it is the fashionable thing to do, or that I will get human praise and appreciation for it. It has to be the natural outflow of a heart that has been totally surrendered to Jesus, with no room for anyone or anything else. The good I have been mandated to do is for ALL men, no matter their beliefs, origin, race or creed. 

I am able to do good because God, who is called the good God, lives in me. I can only flow out with what is in me, not what I will it to be. As I take stock of my life the question then is: if I am pressed and shaken, what type of fruit will fall off the tree of my life? Am I making the kind of impact a surrendered life is expected to have? Is Jesus evident in me or am I full of myself, so much so that all that people see when they come to me is me, myself and I?

I am charged to do good to all men first, because my being on earth is for God to be made known to all men. Men will see the light of God in me and seek to know more about God. But it does not end there; there is an emphasis on also making sure that those of my household of faith enjoy the benefits of the good my life produces. Of how much use is a life that flows out to touch those outside his home, yet has no impact, benefit or help to those of his/her household? Would I be so focused on what other people outside say, and how they view me, that I forget that I am to also be a blessing to those that I share blood with: the blood of Jesus?

The early church in Acts was the perfect example of the balance between the good I am expected to do to outsiders and to those of the household of faith. The apostles were in one accord; nobody had too much or too little, and men sold what they had to be a blessing to other men. Even when food wanted to cause division, wisdom was given to know what to do. When I have given my life to Jesus, it becomes a signpost that points men to my foundation and fruit. When men look at you, what do they see? If Jesus isn't evident, it is not too late to make changes. Ask the Lord to wash you clean with his blood, and to come in and dwell in you. Then, you will see inner change first that will manifest on the outside. Am I shining, or am I struggling for identity? Am I producing fruit in line with my inner state, or am I struggling for relevance? The answer lies in my fruit. His time of favour is here.