When I think of goodness I always think of my kids... We are in a season of training and it has been tough sometimes to help them to realize that if they will be good... their lives will be happy! The same goes for all mankind... If we could just all be good then joy would be everywhere...overflowing, dancing in the rain, catching snowflakes on your tongue happiness!
[Oh] how great [is] thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; [which] thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
-Psalm 31:19
So why is this so hard in our world... to do good? Well, do we really know what good is? Everything has been skewed, changed and made to look the opposite of what God says... In Isaiah 5:20 the Bible reads:
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
We have slowly and surely fallen into the trap that we need to be silent Christians without any confrontation...But the bible clearly states that there is a battle waging for the souls of men... good and evil are at war every moment... We need to recognize this and make sure our goodness lines up with God's definition... Then make sure to draw the line in the sand and stand up for what's right!
PLANTING THE SEED
So how do we plant seeds of goodness in our lives? Where does it come from?
JESUS says in Matthew 19:17-
"And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."
The commandments are the starting groud. We are to live by His commandments in order to plant these "goodness seeds". Of all the people to tell us exactly how we should be... I think Jesus has the authority there.
"Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the work of faith with power."
-2 Thessalonians 1:11
Start the Conversation
"....the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" The little things matter to God... Small kindnesses to others, a true concern for them and an open ear to really listen, a random note of thought or an invite for a cup of coffee... little acts of kindness show forth God's goodness through you and is our kingdom work! Think of a way this week to spread goodness to another and pray for an open door to share the gospel!
Growing in Grace,
Marianne
Comments