Goodness

Yes, Everyone

Dr. Mike 2022 , , ,

1 Thessalonians 5:15

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. (ESV)

This Scripture reminds us that retaliation is not the behavior of a Christ-follower. Instead, we are to do good for everyone; including those who cause evil upon us. In fact, these Words enforce the fact that we are to be intentional in our behavior toward all people – doing something good for them.

In other words, every person you meet today is a candidate to experience goodness from you.

A few of the people you meet today will be those who you already know. Others will be total strangers. Those you know you will have the advantage of knowing how to best provide some “goodness” into their life. You will have a leg up to know what their love language includes (Dr. Gary Chapman’s book “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts). Whether they are words of affirmation, quality time spent with them, acts of service, gifts, or physical touch. If you don’t know which love language they communicate through, then you don’t know them as well as you think you do.

If they are strangers, you can simply express the love of God through good manners and behavior by showing them respect. Stepping aside and letting them go first is a simple gesture of a servant heart. Yes, that includes when driving the roads and allowing the aggressive ones jump in front of you. And also, a smile or word of acknowledgement goes a long way; especially for those waiting in long lines.

When you spend time with a person, and truly begin to understand them, your godly heart will begin to find ways to express the love of Christ through you. The challenge will come when those you meet have caused you harm in some manner. Your inclination is to return evil with evil. To retaliate in a revengeful mood is a continuation of evil. To break the chain of evilness requires the love of God in you taking the lead to extend grace upon those who don’t deserve grace: just as Jesus did for you.

So, if you are in a good mood today, or even woke up in a bad mood, take the challenge of looking today at each person you meet with the opportunity to do something of value. A good word, expression, attitude, or behavior response goes a long way in expressing the love of God with others. Isn’t that what an ambassador of God’s Kingdom is about? 

Everyone is a candidate today of being touched by God’s Spirit by you through you. Seek to do good to one another, and the Holy Spirit will lead you along the way.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books 

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What Is the Good Life?

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , ,
John 10:10 ESV.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

How would you define the good life?

Married to the perfect spouse? Children who behave saintly at home and away? Neighbors who care for you and your success? Work that is fulfilling and rewarding? Material comforts where you have no needs? Physical health abounding with energy? Time to experience the beauty of creation and the fruit of your work? And (add whatever else you believe it will take) to fulfill the good life?

Does your life look like this?  Or is it almost the opposite? Yet Jesus came so we could have a life overflowing with abundance. Where is mine you may ask?

There are those who equate ones faith with wealth and health. If you aren’t healthy or wealthy, you must be lacking in faith (this is their erroneous self-righteous belief). Others are satisfied if only one area of their life meets their expectation. Yet Jesus came so we could have a life overflowing with abundance. Isn’t this what he is quoted as saying? Did he forget you and me?

The good life isn’t measured in quantity. Nor is it necessarily measured by external luxuries. Instead, the good life is the outer expression of an inner treasure. When we surrender to God’s Will and allow Him to fully reside in us, the outcome is His goodness being expressed through you & I.

None of us are good; only God (Mark 10:18). When His character is allowed to be fully exemplified through you and me, goodness shines. The longer we allow His goodness to shine through us, the more impact His goodness has in the world around us.

The good life is simply allowing the Triune God to fully manifest Himself in you and through you. The beneficiary is you and those you come into contact with each and every day. The more you hang out with Him, the more His goodness rubs off on you and others. Apart from His Spirit merging with your spirit, you will only frustrate yourself in the process. With God’s presence living in you comes the full measure of His Spirit which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Want the good life? Build a yielding, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, allow His Spirit to lead you, and you will experience the good life. And yes, the inner life leads to a pretty good outer life. But the outer life is simply the eternal expression of a good inner one.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

*  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
*  Great Business Emulates a Good God
*  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
*  Simply The Messenger
*  Unequally Married

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