Mark 3:1-6 -- Pursuing Good
Psa. 36:1 An oracle is within my heart
concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
There is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For in his own eyes he flatters himself
too much to detect or hate his sin.
3 The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful;
he has ceased to be wise and to do good.
4 Even on his bed he plots evil;
he commits himself to a sinful course
and does not reject what is wrong.
Jesus was "on trial" from the moment he stepped on to the world stage. His trail did not start when he was drug before Pilate about to be crucified, but he was on trial from the beginning of his ministry. He was not on trial because he did something wrong, but because he did everything that was good to do and he called everyone around him to do the good they saw to do.
Two of the most significant mentors that I have had, are men whose godliness shows up in goodness. They look for the good to do, their words are used to highlight and draw attention to the good in a situation. They are two men who know each other, but live hundreds of miles apart, yet both have discovered God is in the good. Neither of these men would be call "up-beat" or "positive thinking" for they both think very critically about people and situations, but their thoughts are disciplined to discover and draw out the good. They have often been in situations where they could have been critical in their attitudes or actions, but they did not respond as others around them might have, like the popular opinions of the people around them. Instead their attitudes, words and actions stepped above acceptable social norms and in the process drew me and others to pursue the higher road of the good - for the sake of and to be like - God.
Jesus constantly looked to bring about good wherever and whenever. The good always highlighted God and provided an opportunity for people to interact with him. The good he did either caused people to glorify God or despise him, and so he was on trial. Not everyone wants to do good, except what is good for them.
Do you focus your thoughts on what is good regardless of the implications it may have on you personally? Do you discipline your minds attention to discover and do the good you can do? It is not an easy road to get on and like Jesus you encounter critics who will put you on trial, but you will discover the strength of God's goodness in the process. I encourage you to memorize, meditate and activate Philippians 4:8-9 in your life to help you focus on doing the good that is around you to do.
concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
There is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For in his own eyes he flatters himself
too much to detect or hate his sin.
3 The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful;
he has ceased to be wise and to do good.
4 Even on his bed he plots evil;
he commits himself to a sinful course
and does not reject what is wrong.
Jesus was "on trial" from the moment he stepped on to the world stage. His trail did not start when he was drug before Pilate about to be crucified, but he was on trial from the beginning of his ministry. He was not on trial because he did something wrong, but because he did everything that was good to do and he called everyone around him to do the good they saw to do.
Two of the most significant mentors that I have had, are men whose godliness shows up in goodness. They look for the good to do, their words are used to highlight and draw attention to the good in a situation. They are two men who know each other, but live hundreds of miles apart, yet both have discovered God is in the good. Neither of these men would be call "up-beat" or "positive thinking" for they both think very critically about people and situations, but their thoughts are disciplined to discover and draw out the good. They have often been in situations where they could have been critical in their attitudes or actions, but they did not respond as others around them might have, like the popular opinions of the people around them. Instead their attitudes, words and actions stepped above acceptable social norms and in the process drew me and others to pursue the higher road of the good - for the sake of and to be like - God.
Jesus constantly looked to bring about good wherever and whenever. The good always highlighted God and provided an opportunity for people to interact with him. The good he did either caused people to glorify God or despise him, and so he was on trial. Not everyone wants to do good, except what is good for them.
Do you focus your thoughts on what is good regardless of the implications it may have on you personally? Do you discipline your minds attention to discover and do the good you can do? It is not an easy road to get on and like Jesus you encounter critics who will put you on trial, but you will discover the strength of God's goodness in the process. I encourage you to memorize, meditate and activate Philippians 4:8-9 in your life to help you focus on doing the good that is around you to do.
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