Bible Reading: Psalm 33, 3 John 1:9-13
“Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good; He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God” – 3 John 1:11(KJV).
Every action and activity on earth is divided into good or evil. Your deeds can be classified as good or evil. As Christians, Apostle John admonished us to follow that which is good. Good is associated with God, while evil or bad things are of the devil. The word devil is a combination of de and evil, which is literally translated as ‘the evil’. The devil is actually “The Evil”. Living a life of good or evil is a choice we are to make as free moral agents. However as Christians, we are seriously persuaded to follow after good, seeing that we are children of light, therefore evil cannot fit into us.
When we are involved in evil activities we are completely separated from God. All good things flow from our God who is the father of light. Doing good attracts the presence of God just as evil attracts the presence of the devil. Evil withhold good things from us. “Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you” – Jeremiah 5:25(KJV). This is the reason why Amos enjoins us to love good and hate evil. “Hate the evil, and love the good and establish judgement in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph” – Amos 5:15(KJV). We as Christian must do everything we can to stay in the path of righteousness, because a righteous person does good. In Romans 12:9(KJV) Apostle Paul persuades the brethren to “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good.” As earlier stated, the act of doing good is a choice but a righteous man must stay on the path of good. There is divine blessings associated to good deeds. “For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy:” – Eccl. 2: 26a (KJV). Our light can only be said to be shinning when we live doing good, and such glorifies God our father. .”Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven” – Matthew 5:16(KJV).
However, while doing good is encouraged, it should also be noted properly that such action does not remove the fact that you must be born again. It does not negate the fact that you must reciprocate the divine love extended to you. As a matter of fact that you must be born again, for except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). The goods you do is not a ticket for salvation but a genuine repentance and acceptance of God’s substitute for you at the cross. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16(KJV). Again, it is a choice I sincerely beseech you to take today.
Prayer Father engrace me to live all my life doing good as a lifestyle.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo