All the Goods

Welcome to the next installment of my studies. I am digging into the "Fruit of the Light" right now. I have a number of other studies that I am placing in line, including a look at the Marriage Enrichment Weekend that took place last weekend. I really can't wait to look at that. There was a TON of scripture used those two days.
The three things that consist of the "Fruit of the Light" are goodness, righteousness, and truth. Today, I am looking at GOODNESS. If you happen to look at the previous fruit study I just finished, there was a study done on goodness as well. What I plan to do is simply build on that study. Here's a link to the previous study: Previous Goodness Study
Yes, it is good to possess Goodness. What a weird statement, at least if you say it, it sounds strange. It's true, though. Now, I do not know if I have mentioned that I am working for the Dallas Morning News, delivering newspapers at 2 early in the morning. I was hoping I would be affected by the writing strike, but yeah, that didn't happen. Anyway, I read this one morning and it realized why my paper route was starting to thin out.

Back to the subject at hand. Goodness.

Ephesians 6:5-9

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Titus 3:1-11

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Matthew 25:31-46

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Philipians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Now, this may seem like an odd bunch of scripture. I don't know, but at the first glance, it seems a bit odd. Especially since two passages do not contain the word "good" or "goodness". That's why I emphasized certain parts. So here is a break-down of the four passages...

• The Lord rewards those who do good, whether a business owner or an employee; slave or master.
• God does not show favoritism.
• I need to constantly be ready to do good.
• I need to be devoted to doing good.
• Those who argue are divisive and have a warped mind. They are self-condemned.
• Those who do good receive an inheritance from God.
• Those who do not do good, who are not helpful to those in need, are sent to an eternal fire.
• Whatever is good, think about such things and put it into practice. The peace of God, which transcend all understanding, will be with me.

And that's what I learned from today's study... not bad, I guess. Johnny Out.

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