Goodness
Monday, November 11 Ephesians 2:8-10
“So that we can dothe good work he planned for us long ago”
Paul viewssalvation as God’s new creation. Peopledo not contribute to their spiritual rebirth any more than they did to theirnatural birth. The emphasis is on theactivity of God, and we are the result of his activity. Salvation and new life are God’s work, andhuman beings are recipients, not causative agents. This new creation takes place “in ChristJesus,” for it is based on Christ’s death and resurrection.
The purpose ofGod’s creative activity is not merely to have a people, as if he wereconstructing a static work of art. Rather, this new creation is to be active and productive like the onewho created them. Christians are “to dogood works.” Salvation is not fromworks, but it certainly is to result in works, that is, living obediently andproductively as God directs. Godplanned, chose and acted in order to save us through Christ. God also planned, chose and acted in order tomark out for us how we can live a life of good works directed by and dedicatedto the God who saved us.
Show me the good works, Lord, which youhave planned for me to do. Amen.
Tuesday, November 12 Romans 7:18-25
“The law is good”
It is not unusual for Christians to beuncertain about their relationship to the law. On the one hand, they have learned that they are not under law but undergrace. On the other hand, they are toldthat obedience to the law is critical, for the law is “holy, just, andgood.” The dilemma finds its resolutionwhen we remember that God’s good law reflects the goodness of his character andoutlines the standards of behavior that he expects of his children. The problem is that the law itself cannotbring about that good behavior.
For example, the vast majority ofChristians believe that “thou shalt not commit adultery” is “holy, just, andgood” but many still struggle with adulterous thoughts. So, we believe the law is good but find itimpossible to keep the law. This iswhere Jesus comes in. His death on thecross means that forgiveness is ours when we break God’s good law. Not only is there forgiveness, but the powerof the Holy Spirit living in us helps us to be strong and to resist moreeffectively the temptation to sin.
Strengthen me day by day, Lord God, so Iwill obey your good law. Amen.
Wednesday, November 13 Psalm 31:19-24
“How much good youhave done for those who rely on you”
These verses tell us that there is much tobe gained – “abundant goodness” – from being open to God’s teaching and takingrefuge in God. The teaching of God ishis instruction about what it means to be good in his sight, and taking refuge inhim is necessary for in this world we will be opposed for living according toGod’s standard of goodness. The “gain”that we receive is not the guarantee of material prosperity or an easy life,but the conviction that one’s life and future really are in God’s hands.
Knowing that our lives are held safely byGod, we praise God for his fundamental goodness as seen in his steadfast lovetoward his saints, that is, toward his faithful ones. Meanwhile, of course, all is not as Godintends in the world, which means that we experience God’s goodness both in thepresent and as something to be awaited, hoped for, when God finally puts on endto sin and evil. Examples of his presentgoodness include God’s protection in the face of enemies and his provision intimes of need.
Iput my trust in your goodness, Lord, for you will do what is good for me. Amen.
Thursday, November 14 Matthew 12:33-37
“A good person produces good works from a good heart”
The Pharisees have been accusing Jesus ofblasphemy, which is deliberate, defiant sin against God and hiscommandments. Now Jesus shows that theyare actually the ones blaspheming for saying that the work of Jesus is actuallythe work of Satan. By attributing Jesus’teachings, miracles, and power to Satan rather than to the Spirit of God, thePharisees are displaying the highest dishonor of God. As long as they continue to reject Jesus asthe Son of God, they cannot enter the kingdom of God and receive forgiveness.
Jesus points out that the charges of thePharisees against him come from their own evil nature by telling them toexamine the fruit of their own lives – good trees bear good fruit and bad treesbear bad fruit. Thus, Jesus directlyconnects what a person does outwardly to the heart of that person. In order to do good works, we must have agood heart, that is, a heart that is committed to taking on the good characterof God. This is only possible if weallow the Holy Spirit to transform our heart and make it good.
Change my heart,Holy Spirit, that I may do good in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Friday, November 15 2 Peter 1:3-11
“Add to your faith goodness”
Spiritualmaturity begins with God’s provision (verses 3-4). It is “his divine power” that has given to usChristians all that we need for salvation and for living a “godly life,” a termPeter uses to summarize the behavior expected of Christians who have come toknow the God of the Bible. Having toldus what God’s power can do for us, Peter makes the point that Christians needto determine to live godly lives. Heemphasizes just how strenuously we need to pursue this goal by telling us to“make every effort.”
Spiritual growthis not a matter that Christians can treat lightly; it is a goal to which weneed to give ourselves body and soul, every day of our lives. Peter describes the process of becomingspiritually mature as a series of ascending steps, listing eight Christianvirtues that must be added, one to the other. He begins with faith and ends with love. By faith we respond to God’s call and come to know him, resulting in thenext step which is goodness. The result,indeed the evidence, of faith is seen in our good work.
Thank you,Father, for giving me faith which leads me to do good. Amen.
Saturday, November 16 John 10:11-15
“I am the goodshepherd”
Jesus identifies himself as “the goodshepherd.” In so doing he connects hislife and ministry to the rich biblical tradition of God as Israel’s shepherd,their ruler, protector, leader, and caring companion. Jesus has shown his warm, pastoral concern inhealing the blind, caring for the poor, and reaching out to those on thefringes of society. Those who have heardhis voice and come to him have discovered that he is “good,” the winsome,attractive shepherd. His goodness, however,is ultimately because of his willingness to lay down his life for the sheep.
He cares for the sheep daily, watching,feeding, and protecting them. But in theend he must finally deal with their greatest danger and face the strongestthief, the evil one, who spreads darkness and destruction through his ownservants, the false shepherds. So thegood shepherd will give his life at the cross in this last struggle with theenemy and defeat him. Those who accepthis death on the cross become his sheep and they will know him, for there is aloving intimacy between shepherd and sheep.
Youare my shepherd, Lord, and your goodness leads and provides for me daily. Amen.