Forget Not To Do Good

By: Dennis Harworth

If I heard it once, I heard a thousand times growing up to “Be good”.  My parents were wise enough to not just leave this command to chance.  They set many ground rules, especially when visiting family and friends, such as, “Speak only when you are spoken to”; “Be polite when you do speak and often use the “magic words” of please and thank you”; “Be seen and not heard”; - just to name a few.  It was very difficult for me to follow a bunch of boring rules, but I finally figured out getting rewarded was so much better than getting the repercussions of my bad behavior.

I was surprised though that my parents were not so adamant about telling me to “Do good”.  It was always expected, but not emphasized as much.  This kind of confused me as a child because I thought “to be good” and “to do good” were the same thing and that just being a good person you would go to heaven.  Imagine how shocked I was when Jesus said, No one is good but One, that is God (Mark 10:18).  This means that perfect goodness belongs to God and anything you do which is truly good in your life must come from a relationship with Him.

To be good refers to the good that comes from God into a person's heart and character.  This goodness of God begins internally when a person is born-again and is being transformed to be more like Jesus.  It is learning to become more loving, patient, kind, generous, and a willingness to serve others. 

To do good means to put this godly character into practice.  It is God’s goodness expressed through your actions and the outward demonstration of your faith. 

You were created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10), so realize that even the smallest acts of faith in doing good will please God.  This could include helping someone in need, considering the poor, forgiving others, showing mercy, giving generously, encouraging others, serving others, loving people to life – and so much more.  You and I both know this is not always the easiest thing to do.  It is no wonder you are encouraged to not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased (Hebrews 13:16).

Here are a few reasons why you should not forget to do good:

God is well pleased, and blesses you according to the fruit of your doings

(Jeremiah 17:10).

The Lord will deliver you in time of trouble, preserve, protect, and bless you

(Psalm 41:1-2).

You will reap in due season the same goodness you have shared with others (Galatians 6:9).

To do good is a step needed for the Lord to give you the desires of your heart

(Psalms 37:3-4).

Therefore, make every opportunity to love, serve, and help others as a glorious opportunity to reflect the goodness of God.  As you faithfully continue in doing good, you can trust that God sees your labor and will abundantly bless you as long as you:

FORGET NOT TO DO GOOD.