Gò0dNews for Everyone
Doing Good
T
by Dorothy Teague
here’s a small two-word command in the Bible that is
faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by
found over and over—Do Good. But, for two small
works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Still, it’s
words, they carry a lot of weight for what our lives
important to do good works in the name of Christ because
as Christians should be. I think everyone wants to do good,
in doing so, we are laying up treasures in Heaven, which
but the well-meaning mindset and the actual “doing” are
cannot be taken away. 1 Timothy 6:18-19 states, “Command
two different things. I’ve always sought to be a good person,
them to do good, to be rich in good deeds…in this way they
treat others fairly, and follow the Golden Rule (“Do unto
will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for
others as you would have them do unto you”). But I found
the coming age, (and I really like the next part) so that they
that I’m more like Brother Paul when he said, “For I do not
may take hold of the life that is truly life.” Treasures that we
do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do,
can transfer on ahead of ourselves can include a multitude
this I keep doing” (Romans 7:19).
of good works,
I think we all know as Christians
including leading
that there is nothing good about us
precious souls to
except Christ in us (Romans 7:15).
Him, honoring the
We can’t rely on our own strength
Lord with our gifts,
to do what’s good
sowing the Word into
and right because we
lives that otherwise
are born into a sinful
would not know Him.
world with a sinful
The command, “Do
nature. Therefore, we must depend upon God’s strength to help us follow His commands to do good. Indeed, we know that it is His command to “Do Good” as evidenced
good,” starts with a verb and requires action. Spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ is our responsibility as Christians, along with doing other good works in Jesus’ name. Those two little words look so simple on paper, but they are not so easily walked out in our
by the many scriptures instructing us to do so. Psalm 37:3
daily lives. That’s why we must depend on His strength and
tells us to “Trust in the Lord and do good.” Galatians
not our own. James 1:22 says, “But, be ye doers of the Word
6:10 reminds us that “while we have opportunity, let us
and not hearers only…” It’s a choice every day to do good,
do good to all people and especially to those who are of
and opportunities are waiting for us to seize by His design.
the household of faith.” In other words, we must love our
Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that “We are His workmanship,
fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Then it really gets
created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared
difficult when Luke 6:27-28 tells us to “love your enemies,
beforehand, that we should walk in them.” God has already
do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
planned out the good works that you and I should do—He
pray for those who mistreat you.” That is a tall order for me
is just waiting for us to take action and do them!
most days. We can’t bargain our way there or try to tip the scales in our favor with good works. “For by grace are you saved through
20 // May 2022
About The Author
We know that good works won’t get us into Heaven. Dorothy Teague is a Tennessee native, who resides in McMinn County with her husband, Lewis, on their farm. After completing 31.5 years as a teacher in the Bradley County School System, she is active in her church at Eastanallee Baptist Church where she is a member of the choir and praise team.
