The purpose of this lesson: (a) To stress the fact that Christians exist to do good (good as defined by God); (b) to stress that it is by doing good that Christians reveal God's holiness
Three things you are asked to note as you study the Bible. (a) Note how often "good" is associated with God's actions and work. (b) Note how often "good" is associated with Jesus' acts in his ministry. (c) Note how often "good" is associated with Christians' responsibility.
As we spiritually mature, we begin to see things revealed by Bible reading that we did not note before. The objective of Bible study is to grow in understanding, not to just gain knowledge.
Just as one example, Peter, in presenting Jesus to Cornelius and the group Cornelius gathered, began by saying that Jesus' ministry was about doing good (Acts 10:38). Please realize Jesus did not do good because everyone liked him or approved of the good he did. He did not do good to be popular. He did not do good because the good he did was always understood.
Doing good is fundamental to being spiritual because (a) it reveals a characteristic of God and godly people and (b) it reveals a truth about God's character that is often overlooked or de-emphasized by those who declare they are God's people. Even God's son is described in terms of doing good.
Jesus often did good in a hostile environment when the good he did was criticized, or was declared not to represent God's values and will. Consider Matthew 12:9-14. The issue to us American Christians immediately becomes "Then why did Jesus do good?" In our society, and especially so in the church, we expect what we declare to be good (a) to be understood as good, and (b) to be appreciated as good. If Jesus did good and it was neither appreciated nor understood to be good by religious leaders, then what were the reasons for Jesus doing good?
Godly people need to understand that the motivations for doing good are not centered in accomplishing physical purposes or receiving physical benefits. Godly people aspire to do good because they aspire to incorporate in their lives God's character. God does good for humanity even when humanity does not appreciate His kindnesses. Example: God sent Jesus Christ to die for all even though all do not believe in or accept the blessings God gives through Jesus Christ's death.
As important as that question is, perhaps an even more important question is this: "Why do today's Christians do good?" Do Christians do good because "they are supposed to"? Is that all that is involved? Do Christians do good because their good will "solve" the problem addressed? Do "solutions" determine when Christians do or do not do good? Do Christians do good because their good works are appreciated by important people who know little or nothing about God? Do the opinions of the minimal or non-religious determine when Christians do or do not do good? We could (and likely should) ask many "why" questions about doing good.
Christians doing good has to do with God, not with physical advantages. Failure to grasp that fact creates spiritual crises, struggles, and questions that have no place in being a spiritual person. If we as Christians do good with our eyes on God's character instead of people's behavior, our actions will be transformed. Inferior motives for doing good find themselves crushed by the situations produced by evil. Human behavior is rarely a justification for doing good. Only the character of God can motivate us to do good when we are surrounded by the realities of evil.
In the following information, some (not all) of the basic whys are stressed. Hopefully, two things will be achieved. (a) You will gain some insights that challenge Christians. (b) You will think in order to deepen your relationship with God. The objective is not to get your agreement, but to deepen your faith in Jesus Christ as he seeks to direct us to God (John 14:6).
The objective of the following information is to produce insights and understandings. Being spiritual is primarily about our devotion to God, not our devotion to physical rewards and benefits.
God's people do good to direct attention to God's holiness. In preparation of your thoughts, you are requested to consider several passages: Exodus 3:1-5, 13-22; 15:11; 19:3-6; 20:1-6; Numbers 14:20-24; Psalm 72:18, 19; 96:7-10; Nehemiah 9:5-8; Isaiah 6:1-4; Matthew 5:16; 9:8; Luke 1:46-49; John 17:11; 2 Timothy 1:8-11; 1 Peter 1:15-19; 2:10; Revelation 4:8; 15:3, 4. These passages emphasize that God by His divine character is the ultimate of holiness. It has been, in all generations, the responsibility of God's people to live lives that are a continuing tribute to God's holiness.
The objective of the numerous passages is to produce awareness that in all generations—prior to and after Jesus' earthly life—God's people have been dedicated to revealing God's holiness through their lives and conduct. Declaring God's holiness through the way we live as well as the way we worship is more than a Christian emphasis. It always has been a godly emphasis.
God's people cannot declare God's holiness through rebellion, through the promotion of evil. As Jesus said, God's people are a shining light who do good works to glorify God. That which is done by God's people will always stand in contrast to that which is done by evil. God's people do good to honor and glorify God—regardless of the understanding and reaction of people who do not know God.
God's people in no generation could or can declare God's holiness through acting in ungodly ways. For daily behavior and the acts of worship to be in conflict discredits both us and God. Disobedience to God or the love of evil never promotes God's holiness. Dedication to doing good promotes God's holiness.
God's people do good to others because they understand people were made in God's image. Consider Genesis 1:26-31; 9:6; Ephesians 4:24; and James 3:8-10. Nothing but people are said to be made in God's image. Since God is not a physical being, this image did not have to do with the human physical body. It likely had to do with the human conscience, the human ability to make choices, and the human ability to discern between good and evil. Whatever is involved in people being made in the divine image (that image is not specifically defined by scripture), Christians recognize that image (though much abused) exists in people. Because of God, Christians treat people differently. They do good to godless people (consider Matthew 5:43-48 and Romans 12:17-21). Christians do not base their acts toward people on others' faith in Jesus or God, the human concept of justice, or the human concept of deservedness. The way Christians treat others is based on God's character—not on human behavior. They do good because the good they do is an act of faith in God. As Christians receive divine forgiveness based on God's mercy and grace, as they have received, so do they give to others (consider Ephesians 4:31, 32 and Colossians 3:12, 13).
Honoring people who were made in God's image involves doing good to people—even ungodly people. Christians do not justify using people, exploiting people, ignoring people, or treating people without respect. Godly people should lead the way in treating others well and with respect. Good treatment of people should begin through Christian behavior—Christians should lead the way! Why? Christians should grasp that respect for the Creator begins with respect for the created! The two cannot be separated!
Christians do good to share God's impact on their lives. Begin this thought by considering John 13:31-35; 1 Peter 2:12; and 4:11, 16. These statements were made to those who would endure great loss or experience great suffering. Those who did not know God would be impressed by the behavior of those who trusted God through their confidence in Jesus Christ. Instead of stating some facts, they shared themselves through their behavior in undesirable circumstances.
A transformation in the concept of being Christian is urgently needed. Too many people think being Christian is merely affiliating oneself with the right group, the right congregation. It is more than that. Being Christian is about more than worship or the act of worshiping. It is more than those acts involved in a person becoming a Christian. It is also about daily behavior after a person becomes a Christian. Doing good is an important way a person shows God's impact on his (her) daily behavior.
Surely additional reasons could be given if space permitted. For example, consider Hebrews 11:13-16. Perhaps a fitting summary is this: People who belong to the living God do good because good is a part of God's character. Their behavior is based on God's character, not human behavior. Relationship with God determines who they are and how they act.
The above three emphases are not the only primary reasons for a Christian doing good. However, these three reasons are among the primary reasons for a Christian doing good.
FOR THOUGHT AND DISCUSSION
1. What three things are you asked to note as you study the Bible?
a. Good is often associated with God's actions and work.
b. Good is associated with Jesus' acts in his ministry.
c. Good is associated with Christians' responsibility.
2. As Peter spoke to those Cornelius gathered, what did Peter say about Jesus?
Peter said Jesus went about doing good in his earthly ministry.
3. Why did Jesus NOT do good?
Jesus did not do good because what he did was liked or approved of by all, because it was popular to do good, or because what he did always was understood by all.
4. Why do Christians NOT do good?
Christians do not do good because they are supposed to do good, because their good produces solutions, or because their good is understood by people who are semi-religious or not religious at all.
5. What two objectives does this lesson have?
a. One objective is to produce insights that challenge Christians.
b. Another objective is to produce thoughts that will improve relationship with God.
6. As given in this lesson, give three reasons for Christians doing good.
a. God's people do good to direct attention to God's holiness.
b. God's people do good to others because they understand people were made in God's image.
c .Christians do good to share God's impact on their lives.
7. God by His divine character is the ultimate of what?
God is the ultimate of holiness.
8. In all generations, it has been the responsibility of God's people to do what?
It has been the responsibility of God's people to live lives that are a continuing tribute to God's holiness.
9. God's people cannot declare God's holiness how?
God's people cannot declare God's holiness through rebellion or the promotion of evil.
10. Christians treat people differently because why?
They understand that people are made in God's image. Therefore, they treat people differently because of God, not because of human behavior.
11. Those who did not know God would be impressed how?
Ungodly people would be impressed by the behavior of people who trusted God.
12. What is a fitting summary to this lesson?
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 11