Skip to main content

Good!

 

 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (I Peter 2:12)

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

          Oh, if there was ever a verse that was meant for today, these are at least two of them! The first issue, of course, is the definition of “good lives.” I think it safe to start with the idea that Peter was talking about moral goodness, not material wealth. I’m not sure that we need to specify it further. If you think that inclusiveness and tolerance are the highest forms of moral goodness, then be inclusive and tolerant. If you think that sobriety and temperance is the highest form of moral goodness, be sober and temperate. If you think charity, volunteering, advocacy, or evangelism are the highest form, do them. Whatever the highest form – live it out in your life in such a way that even if other people disagree with what you proclaim to be the highest form, they won’t be able to fault your behavior.

          Now, within doing what you see as the highest good, do it in a way that you would have others do the same to you. In other words, you may think that tolerance is the highest value. Fine. Be tolerant. But unless you would like someone to stand by judging your tolerance, don’t judge the tolerance of other people. Just be tolerant. If you think being good means temperance, then practice temperance (moderation in action, thought, or feeling: restraint) then practice temperance in your treatment of others.

          The interesting thing is that if you actually set your goal as being good, there seems to be no end to new and different ways to be good. It’s rare that one goes through a day without any opportunity to do good – even if that good involves waving at strangers as they drive by so that at least one human acknowledges their existence in a positive way that day. So far, my good deeds of the day have been praying for people, pulling some weeds from a friend’s garden, walking my dog (and kicking her ball), taking a picture or two, sharing a picture of a tree frog in a birdhouse, and washing two sides of my trailer. Will any of those change the world? In most cases, probably not. But good isn’t only good if it’s big, spectacularly, or earth-shaking.

      So, your turn. What did you do yesterday (since this gets posted early morning) that was good?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more