Pastor's Ponderings, April 29, 2019

Why Should We Do Good Work?

Edmund Burke, a statesman born in Dublin, as well as an author, orator, political theorist and philosopher, served as a member of parliament in London between 1766 and 1794. He wrote, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” In other words, evil people need the rest of the world to allow them to do and say whatever they want without fear of consequences.  

Our history is replete with self-serving people who seemed to be motivated by whatever pleases them in the short run in spite of whoever is hurt by their actions.  But the Bible says that Jesus was born upon the earth to destroy the work of the evil one (1 John 3:8).  Those who love the Lord are the body of Christ and He has charged us with being a light in a dark world (Matthew 5:14).  We can bring hope to the hopeless, a kind word to an outcast, a piece of bread to the hungry, and a visit to those who are confined.

There are some businessmen who are blatantly violating environmental laws, human traffickers who are buying and selling souls, politicians who are selling favors, educators who are using their influence for self-gain and religious leaders who are contravening the Word of God.  Allen Kay wrote the powerful slogan, “If you see something, say something.”  When we see something that is obviously not right, we are obligated to share our concerns. The Bible states that we are ambassadors for Christ to defeat evil and to praise God (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Let us take advantage of every opportunity that God gives us to be kind to those who are cast aside, to expose evil, to protest injustice, to organize, write letters to leaders or to assuage the hurts that evil people have imposed on the weak.  Let us be the good people who will do something to expose evil.  Let us shine our light on ungodly actions and glorify God in heaven (Matthew 5:15-16).

1 John 3:8
New International Version (NIV)

8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

Matthew 5:14

New International Version (NIV)
14 "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

2 Corinthians 5:20
New International Version (NIV)

20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Matthew 5:15-16
New International Version (NIV)
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.