The natural man considers that he is able to “do good” as easily as he can “do evil.” It is certainly true that he can exert the same effort in either pathway. Yet there is not the ability for man in his flesh to “do good”, according to the scriptures. “They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Psa 14:3) The inability of men to “do good”, is not physical in nature, but rather a spiritual problem. Men in general will balk at such an idea and seek to define the many ways in which men “do good”. Yet in order to “do good” one must be “good”. Hear the words of the LORD JESUS to the rich, young ruler, who considered himself to be a “keeper of the Law”. “And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.” (Mar 10:18)
Many consider that by performing certain tasks and abstaining from others that this can be defined as “doing good.” The young man who came to the LORD seeking to “inherit eternal life” (see Mark 10:17) was convinced that he fell into such a category by his determination to be found obedient to the Law, as given to Moses. Yet when the LORD explained the perfection demanded by the law, he went away sorrowing, having been made aware that he was woefully short of such.
As long as men think that they can define what “doing good” is, then they can be satisfied with their religion, along with its rules, doctrines, and practices. Saul of Tarsus was just such a man. A true zealot for that which he believed in. Yet in a moment of time, all of that upon which he stood crumbled under his feet, just like the man whose house was built upon the sand, and he fell upon his face before the LORD. He was stripped of all reliance upon his flesh and meekly waited upon the LORD for direction, understanding that there was nothing good in himself.
Daniel was another who was brought face to face with HIM who alone is GOOD. “Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.” (Dan 10:8-9) Any goodness which he might have supposed that he had melted away as he was enabled to hear the words of HIM whose goodness fills the Heavens and the Earth.
When Moses asked to see the glory of the LORD on Mt. Sinai, the LORD replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.” (Exo 33:19) The “goodness” of GOD is HIS glory which HE will share with no one. (see Isa 48:11) HIS goodness is most clearly manifested when HE made “HIS soul an offering for sin” as HE poured out HIS life’s blood in the behalf of sinners on Calvary. Apart from an understanding of that which HE accomplished there; it is impossible that any man could ever comprehend “doing good.”
So how is it then that Paul exhorts the Galatians to “do good”. Most importantly it is with the recognition of the ONE from whom all “goodness” has its origin. There is no “innate” goodness in men, nor is it possible that they should “do good” apart from HIS bestowal of mercy upon them by HIS gracious SPIRIT. What the world defines as “good” is not the same as that which the LORD expresses and demands.
The sons of GOD, “do good” by giving HIM glory in all things. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1Cor 10:31) Having been set free from the law of sin and death, the sons of GOD are free to walk in the Law of Liberty, which is “the Law of the SPIRIT of life in CHRIST JESUS.” (see Rom.8:2-4) This Law is specifically intended for the interaction of the brethren of CHRIST with one another, even as Paul says, “especially to them who are of the household of faith.” “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Php 2:3-5) This Law (or principle) is concerned with the benefit of the brethren and all of the liberty of the sons of GOD is to be primarily used for that purpose. “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Gal 5:13-14)
GOD’s people “do good” to one another as they pray for one another. “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Gal 6:2) If a brother is overtaken in a fault, we must seek his restoration and not his condemnation. Who among the sons of GOD can boast in any righteousness of our own. “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” (Gal 6:3) This does not mean we “excuse” his fault, but rather to lovingly remind him that CHRIST is our RIGHTEOUSNESS and those who are HIS have renounced the world and the lusts thereof. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Rom 6:1-2)
GOD’s people “do good” to one another when they exhort each other to “follow on to know the LORD.“ (Hos 6:3) Even as Paul testified, “this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Php 3:13-14) “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:1-2)
GOD’s people “do good” to one another when they declare the “unsearchable riches of CHRIST” to one another. The gospel is increasingly relevant to those who have be called out of darkness and into the LIGHT. Each time they hear that joyful message they are prompted to despise the attempts of the flesh to exalt itself in anywise in their minds and heart. They desire to hear nothing but JESUS CHRIST and HIM crucified. Religious men will stumble at this exclusive proclamation, choosing to exalt duty along side that which CHRIST has finished, calling it “human responsibility.” “CHRIST is ALL” is the only message that will do any man “good”.
Paul also admonishes the Galatians to “do good unto all men”. The primary manner in which this is to be carried out is in the demonstration of the work of the SPIRIT in the sons of GOD which causes them to “shine” in contrast to the world. “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” (Php 2:15) “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” (Isa 60:1-3) “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1Pet 2:12)
Therefore, as we “have opportunity, let us do good”. May we lift up CHRIST before the world. Primarily as we declare the gospel of the glory of the blessed GOD to all men. Even as HE gave charge to HIS disciples “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”(Mar 16:15) But also as we demonstrate the saving grace of GOD which manifests itself in the love and unity which can be seen among the saints. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35) Do you love the brethren?
mam