Do Good Anyway

Doing good and being a Christian goes together like a nut and bolt. One without the other serves no purpose and things fly a part when they are not connected. Doing good is not a problem when people are appreciative and thankful for your contribution to their lives but it becomes laborious and discouraging when they are not. Picking and choosing who you express goodness to eventually becomes determined by the response or anticipation of one. In other words, I reward those who can reward me, love people who love me back, give to those who can give back. However, this is not what determines my doing good according to the Bible. I am even to love my enemies! Love in the word of God is a word of action meaning I don't just say it I do it. 

 

 Galatians 6:10 (KJV) 10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Does my doing good depend on anything?

The “ifs” of life and the Christian’s response.

• If people are unreasonable, hateful, spiteful, self-centered, and self-consumed – love them anyway!
• If you do good and people accuse you of ulterior motives and being selfish – do good anyway!
• If being honest actually causes attacks and creates enemies – be honest anyway!
• If the good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow – do good anyway!
• If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.Succeed anyway.
• What takes a person years to build can be brought down in seconds – but build anyway!
• If you give the world your best the world will kick you in the teeth – give the world your best anyway!
• If you speak well of people and they gossip about you – speak well of them anyway! 

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

WHY DO GOOD?

(1) It is a sin NOT to do good!!!
 

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

(2) We are created to do good:

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

(3) Doing good pleases God:

Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Colossians 1:10 (KJV) That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

(4) Gives suffering a purpose:

1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

(5) Confirms your Christianity:

1 Peter 2:13-14 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
¹⁴  Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

1 Peter 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

(6) God equips you to do good:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
¹⁷  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Hebrews 13:20-21 (KJV)
²⁰  Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
²¹  Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (KJV)
⁸  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

(7) Rewards for doing good:

Romans 2:6-7 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
⁷  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

Romans 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

Galatians 6:9-10
⁹  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
¹⁰  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

1 Peter 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 

                                                                  Dr. Reuben Egolf