Live the Bible

Do you consider yourself to be good?  What does being good entail?  Being nice to others? Honesty? Being faithful to your partner?

The bible tells us that no-one is good.  (Romans  3:10)  As a matter of fact goodness is not something that comes naturally to us.

“For the sinful nature is always hostile to God.  It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.”  Romans 8:7

To be a truly good person requires the help of God through His Holy Spirit.

“…For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with love.”  Romans 5:5

We gain God’s Holy Spirit through repentance and baptism.  (Acts 2:38), and the Spirit helps us to bear fruit that shows we belong to God  (Galatians 5:22-23).  Once we stay connected to the vine (Jesus Christ), we will always bear good fruit.

“Yes, I am the vine, you are the branches.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  For apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5

True goodness is also about being good to those who don’t like us.  Jesus Christ said we must also love our enemies.  Being nice to those who are our enemies is not an easy task.  This is why we need God’s Spirit to help us.  If we are just nice to those we like, we are no different from sinners and unbelievers.

“Do you think you deserve credit merely for loving those who love you?  Even the sinners do that! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, is that so wonderful?  Even sinners do that much!... Love your enemies! Do good to them! Lend to them! And don’t be concerned that they might not repay.  Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for He is kind to the unthankful and to those who are wicked.”  Luke 6:32-33, 35.

This is what being good is all about.

God’s Goodness

The goodness of God is truly remarkable and if we strive to live our lives pleasing to Him, his mercy and goodness will be with us forever.

“Your goodness is so great! You have stored up great blessings for those who honour you.   You have done so much for those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.”  Psalm 31:19

“Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for all his wonderful deeds to them.  For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”  Psalm 107:8-9