The Fruit of the Spirit is . . . Goodness

As I was contemplating the meaning of the word good out loud on facebook (my favorite new way to begin sermon preparation), my friend Glenn Drysdale raised an interesting point. He said something to the effect, "what if we focused more of our attention on being good rather than being right?" There is certainly nothing virtuous about being wrong; but it seems to me that we Christians may have followed the misguided notion that being right is somehow more important than being good. What if we put goodness before rightness? What would that do to our attitudes and opinions of each other? What would happen if we devoted ourselves to being good? In our pursuit of rightness we cannot forgot to follow these instructions:

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Gal. 6:9).

"In everything set them an example by doing what is good" (Titus 2:7).

"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good" (Titus 3:1)

"Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good" (Titus 3:14).

"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." (1 Peter 2:12).

"For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men." (1 Peter 2:15).

Motivation for Doing Good Works

Here's the picture that technical difficulties kept me from showing this morning. Now that is a fish who is completely in his element! I was talking with a visitor after the services about "doing good" to others. He made the remark that when he does good things for others it makes him feel good. That is not surprising since, as we saw from Ephesians 2:10, we were made to do good works. When we live the way we were made to live it just feels right. We were made to live a life characterized by doing good.

By the way, someone suggested that the reason we had video problems this morning was bad karma. Hmmmmmm. (To understand the humor behind this comment, please listen to the sermon at clearlakechurch.com)

Do-Gooder vs. Good-Doer

I heard a public service announcement today that was encouraging people to do good to others. They recommended things like working at a soup kitchen. I was glad to hear a radio advertisement that was promoting the concept of doing good deeds. The announcement was encouraging people to be "good-doers" so that they could receive good karma. While it is always proper to do good to others, Jesus offers us much better motivation than the personal good feelings one receives from such service. Jesus said, ". . . let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) You are to "let your light shine" not to "shine your light". The difference is that when a follower of Jesus lives out his or her true identity the light of God shines through their good deeds. Doing good, therefore, is simply a Christian allowing Christ to live his life through them.