Today’s Scripture: He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. (Romans 2:7 New Living Translation)
What is it that God offers to us? Glory, honor and immortality are the rewards for seeking after Him and doing good. We know what is good don’t we? There was a time when WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) slogans were everywhere. You may have the t-shirt, the bumper sticker or the bracelet still today.
Was this an outward proclamation or an inward consideration? Say those words now, “what would Jesus do?” Just try it, say it slowly; can you feel where that question goes? Can you feel how the seeking of the answer can go to your heart and not your head?
In Romans 2:15 we are assured that God’s law is written on our hearts and that our conscience and thoughts will let us know if we are doing right. We know what is good and we see the eternal rewards. May we show God’s Spirit to others today by just doing good. We don’t need the t-shirt we can just show His goodness through our hearts today.
Today’s Prayer: Father God, thank You for writing Your laws upon my heart. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that has changed my heart. Open my eyes and ears today to opportunities to show Your goodness to those You place in my path or in my spirit. I will seek You and Your honor today. I know in Christ Jesus You will judge my secret places and I ask You to continue to shape my heart as only You would have it. Your praise is all I seek. Amen
Tom Raines
Christian Affirmations 4 Life
Wow, thanks for this Tom. Great affirmation today!
Thank you Dustin!
I too pray my eyes will be open to people who might need to be shown goodness will be shown. That requires I take my eyes off self. Good affirmation today Tom.
Thank you Bill, such a great point that we can’t see others if too busy looking at ourselves! Have a great day!
Hi Tom — I think many assume they know what good is – it is something we rarely question – but even Jesus said no one is good but God because no one on their own apart from God can know what good is. Jesus led the example – He came to do the will of His Father, period. I think it is a diligent search daily to seek God’s way and direction in our life each day – knowing we have enemy inside and out – enemies who want to led us astray and one way is thinking we know – when we really haven’t sought. God ways are not our ways.
It is true we have the Holy Spirit, but we also have a heart that is deceptively wicked. We need to learn to turn into the Holy Spirit who teaches and guides us in all things and seek His instruction for what is “right and good” for our lives daily. It is a day to day surrender of acknowledging you don’t know what good is, dieing to self, and seeking God’s will.
Thanks Rachel for dropping by and I can see where you are coming from and think that is why we must seek God. I believe when Paul is saying here in Romans 2:7 and 2:15 is to DO what is good and then to say God’s law is written on our hearts we do have a good idea of what is good. The doing good or “well doing” Paul referenced in 2:7 and in 2:15 Paul says God’s law is written on our heart and he says we have a conscience and thoughts that will accuse us when we do what is not good. Do you have a different take on Paul’s 2nd chapter of his letter to the Romans here? From all indications he is speaking of DOING good versus BEING good which I think is a huge difference. He says in 2:6 that we will be judged by our works which is about DOING. I hope that makes sense as I didn’t mean to insinuate otherwise. I think Jesus reacted to the pharisee calling Him “good teacher” Luke 18:19 was about being good and Jesus was making the point to Him that God alone is good because this same dude was the guy praying moments before ” God I thank you that I am not like those other people. I think He thought he was good. Paul I think is referencing doing good. Hope that makes sense and I wasn’t out of context anywhere.
Tom,
I enjoy how Rachel said:
Jesus led the example – He came to do the will of His Father, period.
When I read these words, I had the most vivid image of a small boy looking to go to work with his dad, and mimic his every move and word.
We should be like that. We should be constantly pestering our Father to come with Him and take part in His business. Our Father’s business.
Tom, I honestly look forward to coming to your blog daily to get some fresh perspective. You simply have not failed.
Thanks Donald, yes Rachel painted the picture we should look to. I am constantly picturing Jesus going off to pray as was His custom. I am intriqued and astounded as to the communication that must have gone on there between Him and His Father. May we look to Him that way too. Would love to have witnessed those conversations! Thanks for stopping by!