Doing Good
3 John 1:11 “Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.”
John is pointing out something that many Christians forget. You can be influenced negatively or positively by whom you associate with. In John’s third letter to Elder Gaius and to the church, he references another person, Diotrephes, who did not receive the Christian believers. John points out his deeds and treatment towards Christians and cautions the Christians not to pick up the same bad behavior as Diotrephes.
Have you ever wondered why doing good is sometimes hard to do? The answer is very simple. Doing good requires another person. There is a thin line between doing good for yourself and doing good for others. If we focus our attention on only doing good for ourselves, it becomes selfishness. In addition, the correct perspective in doing good for yourself is doing what is “right” for you. Moreover, the temptation to concentrate on self-gratification can override the aim of doing what is right. What is right centers on principle, obedience, and discipline, even when it is not pleasurable.
Doing good is for others. Doing what is right is for both you and for others.
When you do good things, it proves that God is living inside of you and you belong to Him. Doing selfish, evil things only proves that you don’t know God.
Be Blessed!
Ron
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