Doing Good...this Easter

From the bible and from the example of Christ, it is clear that Christians are here on earth to do good.

One passage tells us that Christ “went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him”(Acts 10:38). In addition to His healing ministry and His work of instructing in the truth, He engaged in another kind of activity which the Spirit calls simply, “doing good”.

“As He is, so are we in this world” (1John 4:17b). We who call ourselves by His name are under obligation to imitate Him in His deeds of kindness.

In current Christian teaching, it is usually assumed that the works we are called to do are miracles. It is a lot easier apply every passage that speaks of good works to something big and dramatic than to accept it as meaning some plain, humble task of mercy such as clothing the naked and feeding the hungry. We of the evangelical fold are much more easily persuaded to pray all night for God to do a miracle than to put on our work clothes and help a neighbour.

Without doubt, there are activities that take precedence over works of charity – work of charity, setting a holy example before an unholy world, doing good to all men whether believers/Christian or not.

Some Christians feel little or no sympathy for those outside the Christian fold. Let be suggested that help be granted to some unfortunate humans and the question is instantly asked, “is he a Christian?” or “is he worthy of our assistance?”

This attitude is wrong for a number of reasons and altogether beneath those who call themselves by the sacred name of Christ. If we are to help only the worthy, who then can qualify? The Christian can hide his goods away with a clear conscience, safe in the knowledge that he would help the poor if he could find any worthy of it. The moth and rust would qualify, to be sure, and they will get them at last; in the meantime, the happy believer can sing hymns and distribute tracts while the poor ask for bread and there is none and little children cry themselves to sleep at night with no one to comfort.

….”as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). This is in harmony with the truth found in the widely known story of the Good Samaritan, where it is established that our “neighbour” is anyone who needs us, whether or not he is our kin or nationality. I do not see how we can escape the force of this double witness; and to tell the truth, I do not believe any honest person can.
“…as much as lies in you, do good to all men, but do it unobtrusively so as not to draw attention to yourself nor bring embarrassment to the one you help.”

Unquestionably, we are here to do good, but good that is done ostensibly destroys itself in the doing. Kind acts are fragile things and must be handled carefully if they are not to become unkind and actually injure the one for whom they are performed. … almost everyone has at some time been amused or disgusted by the well – heeled extrovert who swept up the dinner check with such a satisfied air as made his guest feel under obligation. But over against this, I know men who habitually do favours in such a manner as to leave the impression that they and not the recipient are being favoured. This is a fine and beautiful art, and one that does not come easily.

…we must remember that the neat little disclaimer we hear so often, “I say this to the glory of God”, does not change the moral quality of the words that follows. Boasting is boasting, no matter how we dress it.

… It is a spiritual grace to help people without putting them under obligation, without humiliating them and without establishing a superior – inferior relationship. It is an art that can do good casually instead of formally, or ,…

The world has a saying that if you want to loose a friend, do him a favour. Without doubt, this saying is the crystallization of many and bitter experiences in the give and take of human relations.
But could the fault be all on one side? Maybe when we did our friend a favour, we adopted a patronizing attitude that struck at his self – respect and stung him to the quick.

Surely, of all people, we Christian should best know how to receive favours without servility and do good without arrogance. Our Lord was a master of this art;’ we can learn (should) from Him.

A.W. TOZER: THE WARFARE OF THE SPIRIT – RELIGIOUS RITUAL VERSUS THE PRESENCE OF THE INDWELLING CHRIST. COMPILED BY HARRYN VERPLOEGH