Articles
Let Us Do Good
The fire on a lit match casts no shadow. If Christians are light, then why do we often rely exclusively on worldly means–signs, advertising, an attractive facility–to compete with the darkness to get noticed? Jesus and the 1st century disciples didn’t have billboards or business cards. And, while some of this is useful (Luke 16:8) for us, the greatest periods of growth in the Lord’s church came about by preaching truth and doing good (Galatians 6:7-10).
I. Acts 10:36-38. Jesus reaped what He sowed. While on this earth, He viewed every interaction as an opportunity to advance the gospel, so much so that He was known for going around and doing good. Even when He spoke, He wasted no effort to show the world that God was among them (John 7:40-46). So, our every word and deed ought to show the world Jesus (Colossians 3:17) to increase His kingdom.
II. Matthew 25:37-40. Preaching truth and doing good is light in a world of darkness, and so different than any of the worldly efforts we could employ to get noticed. And, because it is hard, we may grow weary. Jesus promises to be with us (Matthew 28:18-20), so we are never alone. If we persevere as a church and in our personal ministries to shine our light on a stand for all to see, we will be rewarded.
III. Ephesians 4:15-16. So, we must view every interaction we have out in the world and with each other as an opportunity to show Jesus by preaching truth and doing good. Rather than seeing the church as a refuge–God is instead (2 Samuel 22:2-3)–to escape the world, we must see it as a base to regroup (Acts 13:1-3) so we can serve. Only by shining light can we compete with the darkness to overcome it and grow.
We must pray that God will give us opportunities to preach truth and do good and that we will see them. Then we can serve as a church and develop personal ministries in every interaction and situation.
