“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10)

It began at creation when everything God created was good. It continued as the Psalmist said, “You are good, and what you do is good.” (Psalm 119:68a) Then, Jesus would say, “No one is good—except God alone.” (Mark 10:18b) Therefore God is good. The Apostle Paul would now address the church and say, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” (Ephesians 5:1 ESV) To imitate God, is also to “follow God’s example.” (Ephesians 5:1 NIV) This is also the heart of the Psalmist, for he would add, “teach me your decrees.” We need to learn to be good and to do good, as followers of Jesus Christ.

Now, many of us remember the one, or maybe we are the one who was called the “goody-two-shoes”. The one always pointing out and telling when we did wrong. The problem was they also were not doing good. That is because we are those who are predisposed to doing wrong. Jeremiah said, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.” (Jeremiah 17:9) That is why Jesus came. We were sinful and in need of a transformation and a new life. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) Now, we must learn how to live in this transformed life. We need God to teach us so that we can learn from Him how to live and do good.

This is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He will lead us into all truth and teach us the ways of God. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16-17a) “But, the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

The work of the Holy Spirit changes us and enables us to do good. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) The change comes as the results of the Holy Spirit in our lives, bringing out the character of God. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) The result is the fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23a)

When the fruit of the Spirit comes through our lives, we are to do good toward others. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10) We are to fulfill the second greatest commandment. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:29) Our focus should also be on our fellow believers. Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) The love expressed to each other in the body of Christ lays down the foundation for our witness to those in the world where we are to express the love of God.

Paul gives us examples, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1-2) He also gives us a challenge and a promise. “. . .whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:8b-9)

When we walk with the Living Word and the Written Word of God, we learn that God is good and we learn to follow Him by doing good as He transforms our lives.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block