 General Discussion -  Not To Do Good Is To Do Evil (9 views)
From:  David (DavidABrown)     Apr-22 8:53 am  
To:  ALL    
 
  863.1  
 
Source: www.walkingintruth.org
Not To Do Good 
Is To Do Evil
 
 
"If there are any kind words to be spoken, let us speak them now, while our loved ones are yet with us. If there are loving deeds to be done, let us do them today. Flowers on the lid of a coffin and a nice epitaph on a tombstone bring no cheer to the dead." - Encyclopedia Of Sermon Illustrations 
 
Cotton Mather, the American clergyman and author, once made the profound statement - "The opportunity to do good imposes the obligation to do it." 
 
We quote from the Barnes' Notes, concerning a maxim that was accepted by the Jews, relating to doing good when the opportunity arises - "It seems to have been a maxim with the Jews that NOT to do good when we have an opportunity is to do evil; NOT to save life is to kill or to be guilty of murder. If a man has an opportunity of saving a man's life when he is in danger, and does not do it, he is evidently guilty of his death." 
 
Adam Clarke made this comment concerning the same maxim - "It was a maxim with the Jews, as it should be with all men, that he who neglected to preserve life when it was in his power, was to be reputed a murderer..." 
 
What we are hearing these men say is this - 
When the opportunity arises to do good, then we are required to do it. 
Not to do good when we have the opportunity is to actually do evil. 
 
They both gave the simple and comprehensible example of preserving life. If we are faced with a situation where we do not do all that is in our power to save a life that is in danger, then we are guilty of murder. 
 
Think about this! 
Does the Lord call us nations of murderers because we - for the most part - do nothing to oppose or fight abortion? 
We know that the babies' lives are in danger, yet what are we doing to stop these atrocious killings? 
Do we lack opportunity?  
Absolutely not! 
Then what is our reason for this gross neglect? 
 
The Apostle Paul instructed us in Galatians 6:10 by saying - "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." 
 
"As we have therefore opportunity" - "Opportunity" according to Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary is a "favorable juncture of circumstances." In other words, the circumstances are just right for something to happen or occur. 
 
If it's an opportune time, then it must not be put off for a more convenient one. No matter if... it requires much self-sacrifice or self-denying...it brings little fame or recognition...it calls for action - the Apostle exhorted us by saying - "As we have therefore opportunity."  
 
"As we have therefore opportunity" - In other words, while our lives last. 
It's a select season to accomplish a certain task and will only last for a given time. 
We must not neglect our duty nor defer it for other causes. 
It's a fresh occasion presenting itself to us. 
We must act on it as far as our capacity and abilities will allow.  
 
God's Word encourages us to make the most of every opportunity that presents itself - 
 
Ecclesiastes 9:10 - "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." 
John 9:4 - "...work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work." 
John 12:35 - "...Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light..."
Ephesians 5:16 - "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." 
 
What is it that God gives us the opportunity to do? 
 
Galatians 6:10 says - "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men..." 
 
God has given us - as Born Again believers - the duty to "do good unto all men..." In fact, this is how we prove unto others that we are truly Born of God. 
 
3 John 1:11 - The Apostle John said it this way -  "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God." 
 
Those who "do good" resemble God for He is always reaching out to others with His Goodness. Unlike the wicked man who is unfeeling, unmerciful, and unkind; the follower of Jesus is loving, merciful, and kind - walking in God's grace and power.    
 
Titus 3:8 - The Apostle Paul exhorted Titus to "affirm constantly" or preach continually that believers are to live holy and upright lives, seeking every occasion to do good unto others - "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works..." 
 
In order to "maintain good works," there are some principles that we must consider - 
 
a) Leave All Sin
 
Psalm 37:27 - "Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore." 
 
It's a great practical lesson to learn that in order to do good, we must have nothing to do with sin or evil. Otherwise, impurity in the heart will taint the good deed. It will cause it to be done through an insincere or selfish motive. 
 
b) Comply With God's Will 
 
Ecclesiastes 3:12 - "I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life." 
 
God has given to each of us talents, skills, and resources. We are to be pleased with our portion in this life. We are to make good use of our blessings by serving our generation through doing good to all wherever and whenever we can. 
 
c) Treat All Men Alike 
 
Matthew 5:44 - "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." 
Luke 6:35 - "But love ye your enemies, and do good..." 
 
No one has any problem doing good unto those who are good to them.
 
But what about doing good unto those who injure, offend, or abuse us? 
The Lord Jesus taught us how to overcome our enemies - love them in deed and in truth.  
 
d) Be Free From Retaliation
 
1 Thessalonians 5:15 - "See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men." 
 
We must never seek revenge or the opportunity to get even with another. Any reaction to our enemies other than love, kindness, generosity, and fairness is contrary to Christianity. 
 
e) Share Your Riches With Others
 
1 Timothy 6:17-18 - "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works..." 
Hebrews 13:16 - "But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." 
 
Those believers who have been abundantly blessed and are prospering in this life are hereby "charged" by the Apostle Paul and the writer of Hebrews to "do good" by liberally sharing their "riches" with others. As God has so graciously provided for them, they, in turn, should look for every opportunity whereby they can show their generosity unto others. They must not harden their hearts to the cries of their poor brethren, but, as God directs, they must seek to relieve them of their great financial burdens. This is a duty given to them by the Lord. They must not forget to do so. 
 
Most men are prone to be obsessed with their own interests. Hence, for a man to share his wealth with another is considered as a sacrifice that is well-pleasing unto the Lord.  
 
f) Know That A Reward Awaits You
 
Psalm 37:3 - "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." 
 
In 1 John 5:19, The Apostle John said these words - "And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness." We are of God. Our good works, following our salvation experience, prove unto others that God is truly operating in and through us. 
 
"The whole world lieth in wickedness." Evil is abounding on all sides. Should that stop us or hinder us from doing good? No way! It should stir us to endeavor to swallow up the evil by our good. 
 
If we will not allow the evil that surrounds us to hinder us or stop us, God will graciously provide our needs by giving us safe and secure dwelling places and by feeding us with His delightful Truth. 
 
It is our God-given duty as Christians to "do good unto all men." 
God specifically emphasizes in Galatians 6:10 the "household of faith" as the recipients of our goodness. 
What this means is that we should especially look for every opportunity to bless a saint or a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ as He directs. 
 
We must not put off the good that we can do for a more "convenient season." 
Acts 24:25 - Felix tried that trick concerning the salvation of his soul and ended up in Hell for all eternity. 
 
God has given us this moment and hopefully this hour or this day in order to "do good" unto others. None of us is promised tomorrow. 
 
As the opening quote stated, now is the time to speak kind words and do good deeds unto others, especially the saints of God. Don't wait until it is too late, and the person you were wanting to bless for a long time is dead and no longer here. 
 
The Holy Spirit is emphasizing two concepts today- "opportunity" and "do good." 
 
Be sure that, when opportunity comes knocking on your door, you are ready for it. 
What you miss may never come around again. 
The time will come when it will be Too Late! 
And, as in the case of Felix, your missing it can ruin you in this life and in the life to come.  
 
One last thing - don't forget the maxim of the Jews which says - 
"Not to do good when we have an opportunity is to do evil." 
 
3 John 1:11 - "...He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God." 
 
May God Bless His Word.
Connie
 
www.walkingintruth.org
 
Connie Giordano 
P. O. Box 383016
Duncanville, TX. 75138-3016
 
Copyright 2004 by Connie Giordano  
 
____________________________________________________
 
To reply to this message, write to Connie at GodisTruth@Juno.com
 


David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
www.BasicChristian.org

 
