I have heard it all my life and never noticed the problem until recently. “Do one good deed every day.” How many New Year’s resolutions have you heard that include that phrase? How many times have you heard people talk about trying to better themselves by doing “one good deed every day?” How many speak as if they are proud of that very accomplishment?
Then it struck me. One good deed a day? That is supposed to make me a good person? One? Hey! If I get it done by 8 or 9 in the morning, I don’t have to worry about another one, right? If I do 5 today, I can take the rest of the week off. I’m not expected to work on the weekends surely. Something is terribly wrong if we think doing one good deed a day is a wonderful accomplishment for a Christian.
Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it. Psalm 34:14
Trust in Jehovah, and do good…Depart from evil, and do good; Psalm 37:3,27.
I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live. Eccl 3:12.
But I say unto you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, Luke 6:27.
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased, Heb 13:16.
And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith. Gal 6:9,10.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another; communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality. Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as in you lies, be at peace with all men. Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongs unto me; I will recompense, says the Lord. But if your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Rom 12:9-10, 13-21.
Do I really think I can overcome evil with one good deed a day?
Christians don’t work by the quota system. They know they should be looking for good things to do, as well as reacting in good ways to things done to them, all day long, every day. Yet even that is not enough to repay the debt we owe for our forgiveness.
I think we need to stop counting.
Dene Ward
For hints, help, and instructions on using this blog, click on the FAQ/Tutorial page on the left sidebar.)
Then it struck me. One good deed a day? That is supposed to make me a good person? One? Hey! If I get it done by 8 or 9 in the morning, I don’t have to worry about another one, right? If I do 5 today, I can take the rest of the week off. I’m not expected to work on the weekends surely. Something is terribly wrong if we think doing one good deed a day is a wonderful accomplishment for a Christian.
Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it. Psalm 34:14
Trust in Jehovah, and do good…Depart from evil, and do good; Psalm 37:3,27.
I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live. Eccl 3:12.
But I say unto you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, Luke 6:27.
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased, Heb 13:16.
And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith. Gal 6:9,10.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another; communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality. Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as in you lies, be at peace with all men. Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongs unto me; I will recompense, says the Lord. But if your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Rom 12:9-10, 13-21.
Do I really think I can overcome evil with one good deed a day?
Christians don’t work by the quota system. They know they should be looking for good things to do, as well as reacting in good ways to things done to them, all day long, every day. Yet even that is not enough to repay the debt we owe for our forgiveness.
I think we need to stop counting.
Dene Ward
For hints, help, and instructions on using this blog, click on the FAQ/Tutorial page on the left sidebar.)
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