Why Do Good?

Why are you trying to “be good”? What is your reason? If you’re doing it to get something from God then you’re mistaken. God doesn’t bless us because we’re good He does it because He’s good.

Matt 19:16-18

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"

17 So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."

18 He said to Him, "Which ones?"
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This man wanted to “purchase” eternal life with his good deeds. He was probably a type A personality and a perfectionist so he asked, “Which ones?” He wanted to get something from God but the only thing that could pay the price for the privilege was the blood of the cross. Good deeds are good indeed but you were qualified you to receive salvation because you were a sinner. Jesus said in essence, stop trusting in your own goodness, or in riches or in anything else and receive and follow Me. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” So being good isn’t how we get the gifts but the ability to be good is a part of the Gift He’s given. There’s really only One who’s good and that’s God and so we are able to be good not because we’re trying to get something but because of Whom we’ve got. And if you’ll we receive this grace and be good because He’s good then you’ll always overcome evil and when overcome evil life is good!

Rom 12:21
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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When you do good it doesn’t do anything it doesn’t do anything to God but it definitely does something to the devil.

Acts 10:36-39
36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ — He is Lord of all — 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
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So the purpose (why) of Good is not to “get” but to imitate God and overcome evil. Being bad makes you sad but being good makes you glad because you’re doing what you were made to do, and acting like you’re Dad!

Eph 5:1
5 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
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