Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
“How ‘Good’ Do You Have to Be?”
“What you gain by doing evil won’t help you at all, but being good can save you from death.” – Proverbs 10:2 (Contemporary English Version)

“So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.” – Galatians 6:9 (New Living Translation),br />
“…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” – Acts 10:38

Like much of our language, the word “good” has a variety of definitions. Here are a few:
Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor: a good experience; good news from the doctor.
Having the qualities that are desirable or distinguishing in a particular thing: “This is a good exterior paint. “
Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable: Is this a good dress for the party?
Not spoiled or ruined: “The milk is still good.” Superior to the average; satisfactory: “She is a good student.”
Worthy of respect; honorable: “He has a good reputation.”
Attractive; handsome: good looks. Beneficial to health; “I got a good night's rest.” Competent; skilled: “He’s a good machinist.” Complete; thorough: “I had a good workout.” Able to pay or contribute: “She is good for the money that you lent her.”
Able to elicit a specified reaction: “He is always good for a laugh.”
Pleasant; enjoyable: “I had a good time at the party.”
Favorable: “We had good weather for our trip.” Of moral excellence; upright: “He is a good person.”
There are actually several more but I think I will end there…but do you see the dilemma here? The word “good” has so many connotations and definitions that it can be near impossible to know if we’ve got it right!
I thought about how as an American—our vocabulary often betrays what the writer or speaker intends—or as a listener what we hear! For example, there are those who when listening to some good music (according to their interpretation) they might chose Country and Western. (I have to admit that would be near the bottom of my list). To another, “good” music might be classical music, another it might be rock & roll while another, Southern Gospel. So what might we conclude from this? If I do not like a certain genre of music does that disqualify it from being good?
So what does it mean to “be good?” Or maybe the better question—how good do we have to be to fulfill God’s definition?
I like the verse from the book of Acts that I listed at the top. I think it captures the full scope and purpose of this verse in Proverbs attempting to convey. It says that Jesus, “went around doing good.” The best way to narrow that down is to remove one of the o’s and restate it: “…he went around being God.” By being God, doing good was a natural result! He would not know how to do anything different.
We use the phrase, “God is good.” His goodness is not what He does but it is who He is! It describes His nature.
For Jesus, being God (good) meant He loved without condition. He gave without expectations. He lived unselfishly. He worshiped wholeheartedly. He prayed unceasingly. He lived with purpose. So what may be a fitting conclusion, to “be good” is to “be His!” Follow His example and live a life of love.
Pastor J. T. Carnell