Thursday, February 13, 2020

The Difference Between Being Good And Being GOOD


Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” –  Galatians 6:2

After we visit families that need help with their homes, we have a meeting to discuss the repair needs and whether or not we should offer them assistance.  I was in one of those meetings yesterday and we were talking about the burden we feel while we are meeting with most of the families we visit.  Galatians 6:2 came to my mind.  It is so easy to read Bible verses and nod our heads or hearts in agreement to the Truth. It is another thing altogether to yield ourselves to that Truth. The burden that we feel when we meet with those who are struggling in life is the reality of Galatians 6:2.

Listen, this is not about social justice or doing good things for people.  That is what the world might see and think. Bearing each other’s burdens is a spiritual act of worship.  It is what Romans 12:1 is referring to.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” – Romans 12:1

There is a term, compassion fatigue, that I didn’t know anything about until we went on the mission field and engaged in Disaster Recovery ministry. If you try to do anything spiritual in the power of your flesh you will become weary, quickly.  It is like Samson’s strength.  He was invulnerable while he was empowered by the Spirit of God, but once the Spirit left him, so did his supernatural strength.  Same for us.  When you consider the opportunities for ministry that the Lord presents as you walk in the Way, they will always require supernatural ability – Holy Spirit power. You might do good but you won’t do GOOD.

So He [Jesus] said to him [the rich young ruler], “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God [the Father].” – Matthew 19:17

Get it? Got it? Good! When the Bible says “Do not become weary of well doing.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13) it is because you will become weary if you are not careful. If you forget that it is not you – you have offered “you” to God to be used by Him for His eternal purposes. Which is to do GOOD for His glory and the good of others. Just don’t forget where the source of your strength comes from.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

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