Choose, Pursue, and Do Good!

Thank you for coming to our blog today. We pray that you will enjoy digging deeper into our subject of ‘Good.’ Often times, we read a word in the Scriptures and assume we know and understand what it means and what the Lord wanted us to gleam from a particular verse. We have found, most of the time, we need to dig deeper to get the whole revelation of what the Lord is speaking to us through His Word. Enjoy today’s study and I pray that its message will challenge and help you in your daily walk with Him. Eric

Before we received Christ into our hearts as Lord and Savior, we lived our lives solely to please ourselves. We were those who would best benefit ourselves, by whatever means necessary. ‘Good’ and ‘evil’ to an unbeliever usually is relative to what produces the result we desire.

Look at what Romans 8:7 reveals, “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.” The ‘mind governed by the flesh’ refers to the sinful nature inherent in humanity since man first sinned in the Garden. “This nature is in direct opposition to God, as it is driven by self-interest and worldly desires.” (Bible Hub Study Bible). The fleshly mind is incapable of understanding or accepting spiritual truths. (1 Corinthians 2:14). The phrase, ‘does not submit to God’s law reveals the power of sin over the unregenerate mind. The resistance to obedience to God’s rule comes from a deep spiritual rebellion against God’s authority, as we saw in the Garden, Then, in reading the phrase, ‘nor can it do so’ lets us know and understand the ‘total depravity and inability of the fleshly mind to align with God’s law on its own.’ (Bible Hub Study Bible).

The doctrine of ‘original sin’ teaches that humanity is inherently sinful and incapable of choosing God without grace. (Ephesians 2:1-5). This inability is not due to a lack of opportunity but a fundamental incapacity as the natural mind is spiritually dead. (Colossians 2:13).

You see, when we are unfaithful to God and choose to be a ‘friend of the world,’ or one who lives our life with values and behaviors which oppose the will of God, we, by default, have chosen to be an enemy of God! (James 4:4).

One of our paramount Scriptures that reveal it is God’s intention what we ‘do good works’ is Ephesians 2:10 (Berean Standard Bible), “ For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.” ‘Workmanship,’ poiema in the Greek suggests a work of art or a masterpiece. It’s a thing ‘made’ or a ‘work.’ You are a work of art or a masterpiece which God created!

Believers are intentionally and intricately designed by God. Psalm 139:14 declares that we ‘were fearfully and wonderfully made.’ According to the NSFLB textual notes, “created…for good works’ indicates that His ‘new creation’ work, in each believer, is that He renovates the nature of His redeemed children.” Praise God! The previous scriptures we looked at revealed that without us becoming a new creation in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17, which we do by accepting Christ as Savior and Lord), we could not do the good works He desires that we do!

When we are changed and made new creatures, Jesus changes our way of thinking. Titus 2:14 reveals, “who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” What an amazing event in our lives! When Jesus redeemed us, He purified us so that we could eagerly do what is good! The textual notes in the NSFLB put it this way: “The purpose of Crist’s redemptive work was to create a special people cleansed of sin and zealous for good works.”

So, when we looked at Ephesians 2:10 and now Titus 2:14, we have learned that He created and redeemed us “to do good works!”

According to Strong’s Lexicon, the Greek word for ‘good’ is “agathos which means: good, beneficial and virtuous. It means ‘good in a physical and moral sense and produces benefits.” In Help Word Studies, ‘good’ means “inherently or intrinsically good. As to the believer, ‘agathos’ describes what originates from God and is empowered by Him in their life through faith.”

Then we found in the Bible Hub Usage, that the word agathos (good) is used in various contexts throughout the New Testament to describe, people, actions and things that are considered good or beneficial. It is often used to denote moral excellence or divine goodness.

My own definition of ‘doing good’ is: anything that you do in obedience to God, as directed by His Spirit. It is doing what is morally and ethically correct according to God’s Word. I want to remind you though, the ‘works’ of a believer are not the means of salvation but are the evidence of our salvation. We do not ‘do good’ to earn salvation, we ‘do good’ because we accepted the gift of salvation from Jesus’ sacrifice.

Let’s look at more of the truth and revelation we receive from God’s Word concerning - Doing Good:

3 John 1:11, “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” ‘Imitate’ means: to mimic, or emulate a mentor or the example set by others. Imitation is central to the process of discipleship. (Paul told the Corinthians in 1 Corthians 4:16, “I urge you to imitate me.”) Imitation is not simply external but involves a transformation of character and conduct. As believers, we are to emulate the character and actions of Christ. We are also to imitate those fellow believers who are mature in Him, meaning those who demonstrate faith, love and perseverance.

We must choose wisely whom we will imitate. As we pursue holiness - it is important that we imitate what is ‘good’ and those who ‘do good.’

Goodness is a fruit of the Spirit and is an attribute of God’s nature. Thus, our ‘doing good’ is evidence of a transformed life and genuine relationship with God because, He is Good!

1 Thessalonians 5:15 (BSB) reads, “Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.” ‘Pursue,’ dioko in the Greek means: chase, press forward, follow after, aggressively chase, like a hunter pursuing a ‘prize’ catch!” This verse reveals to us that we are to actively seek the welfare of others.

Did you notice, Paul wrote ‘for one another?’ ‘One another’ indicates those in the fellowship of believers, however, he didn’t stop there - he added, ‘for all people.’ Our ‘pursuing what is good’ is to extend to all people! That means we make a continuous and intentional effort and deliberately choose to respond with doing ‘good’ to everyone we meet!

1 Thessalonians 5:21b (ASV) reads, “hold fast that which is good.” “To hold fast (katechete) suggests a firm grip, indicating that what is good should be embraced with conviction and perseverance. ‘Good’ (kalon) used in this verse is what aligns with God’s will and character - not just moral goodness.” (Bible Hub Study Bible).

Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” His Word is good and when we renew our mind with it, we will have the ability to discern God’s will! The result of renewing our mind will be a '“fundamental change in character and conduct in us which includes a continuous process of spiritual growth and understanding.” (Bible Hub Study Bible). We definitely need to pursue His Word! Reading, studying and knowing the good Word of God transforms and renews out minds to the ideals of the kingdom of God, which is the kingdom of light and life as opposed to the kingdom of darkness and death!

Romans 12:17a, ‘Do not repay anyone evil for evil.” When you have been mistreated, the Word instructs us here that we do not imitate the one doing the evil nor seek revenge! We can trust God’s justice rather than take matters into our own hands.

What ‘good’ did Jesus choose to do to those who: beat Him, pushed a crown of thorns on His head, mocked Him, brought false accusations against and crucified Him? “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:24).

Romans 12:21 instructs us, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” We cannot allow evil to gain control over our thoughts or actions! We stand on the good Word of God in Ephesians 6:13 and 14 and put on ‘the whole armor of God to stand against the source of evil (the devil). Our battle is not against flesh (people). However, we battle with faith, the Word of God and righteousness. Thus, we overcome evil with good!

In Titus 3:8, Paul begins with the assurance that the teachings in the Word of God are divinely inspired and worthy of full acceptance. He instructs Titus to emphasize the teaching of the Word of God so that believers will “take care to devote themselves to good deeds.” Looking at the Greek meanings for this phrase, "to take care to devote themselves to good deeds” means to engage in and practice good, noble, honorable and righteous deeds and acts. Why? The good deeds are excellent, valuable, profitable, beneficial, and good for people! You must see in this verse that, the way believers get to the point of maturity to carefully devote themselves to good deeds, is through the teaching of the Word of God! This is a vital truth!

“We need to be intentional about living out our faith through good works. Salvation, while by grace, results in a life of service and obedience.” (Bible Hub Study Bible).

2 Thessalonians 3:13, encourages us, “And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” Sometimes it requires endurance for us to continue to respond with ‘good’ when all we are receiving is evil and opposition. We remain steadfast in responding with the directives and righteousness of God in choosing to do good in the face of on-going trials.

Our goal is to reflect the nature of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit to the world around us! All that we do should bring honor and glory to Him - and, never be about us.

1 Peter 2:20b instructs , “if we suffer for doing good and we endure, it is commendable before God.” We all face consequences for doing wrong, but what we must realize is that there is no honor or spiritual benefit when we endure punishment when it is deserved. However, if we suffer consequences for or face persecution for our faith, for doing good, it is commendable or praiseworthy in the sight of God!

Proverbs 14:22 reveals, “The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways and the good rewarded for theirs.” The faithless are those who are backsliders or turned away in their heart. If you pursue ‘good’ you align yourself with God’s character and receive His favor.

Hebrews 13:16 instructs us to not neglect but rather to be intentional and consistent in our good works and sharing with others.

The believer’s actions (deeds) must reflect their beliefs. Otherwise, their commitment to Christ is simply ‘lip-service’ and meaningless.

Some years ago, many believers wore a “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do) bracelet . The intention was to remind us to fulfill His mission in this world, imitate Christ, to do good, to be kind, show love and share with others and reflect the goodness of God to everyone around us. I am trusting that today’s post has reminded you of that!

‘Pursue:’ press forward, follow after, aggressively chase good or those things which are virtuous and beneficial.

Do Not imitate or repay evil for evil!

What aligns with God’s will and character is Good!

Be intentional!

Pursue God!

Pursue Good!

Embrace what is good!

He created and redeemed you so that, you can Pursue Good and Do It!!

Unless noted otherwise Scriptures used are taken from the New International Version.

NSFLB New Spirit Filled Life Bible

BSB Berean Study Bible

ASV American Standard Version