“The good man brings good things from the good stored up in his heart.” Luke 6:45 NIV

“Goodness is important, because goodness matters to God.”

My thoughts today are “for goodness sake.”

My Mom seemed to say that a lot when I was growing up. “Allen, for goodness sake don’t do that.” She was a good lady, caring, selfless and generous, and loved by all who knew her. It must have been her way to appeal to what was better in me, wanting me to learn to consider what would be for the best when making decisions or choosing a course of action. I couldn’t tell you whether that was very effective at the time, because teens aren’t always as concerned about the result of things, as they are of their desire at the moment. But at least she planted an idea inside my head, and maybe into my heart, by sincere repetition.

To many, goodness just doesn’t seem good enough. Goodness often sounds so mediocre – so plain vanilla – nothing particularly exceptional about it. Badness at least has some thrill to it; goodness sounds boring. Greatness, now that will get attention; goodness just doesn’t seem to rate much notice. But I suggest that goodness is important, in spite of a culture that evidences anything but that. Goodness matters to God, so that should matter to you, a lot!

Jesus said, “(Even) a tree is recognized by its fruit . . the good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:43-45 NIV. So, here’s the deal. If you want to live for goodness sake, it starts in the heart. Goodness is not some occasional, big important thing that you do; goodness is really about who you are, all the time, in things great and small.

Goodness begins with what is “stored up in the heart.” (See Proverbs 4:23 NKJV) It happens over a sustained period of time by living a life that is consistently obedient and pleasing to God. You don’t “get” goodness all of a sudden; you become good by living everyday “for goodness sake.” “That you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work . . growing . . strengthened . . joyfully giving thanks . .” Read Colossians 1:9-14 NIV.

Goodness is expressed by “good things.” You don’t try to do them; they just naturally happen because of what you have placed purposefully into your heart. Good people characteristically do good things. Bad people mostly do bad things. Both are capable of doing either sometimes.

Goodness is the new, redeemed nature of a “good man.” Goodness is a product of God at work in your life. See Galatians 5:22 NIV. “I am convinced that you are full of goodness, complete in knowledge, competent to instruct one another.” Romans 15:13-14 NIV. See Ephesians 5:8-10/Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV.

My prayer for you today is that your heart’s desire is to live to please God always.

Devotionals good man, good things, goodness, Luke 6:43-45, Mom, nature, Proverbs 4:23, redeemed nature

“Until Christ’s nature is formed in you.” Galatians 4:19 Today’s English Version

“You can be less like you and more like Jesus. That’s not natural; it’s supernatural.”

My thoughts today are that “it’s not natural.”

You can go through life feeling pretty good about doing what comes naturally, but I think there will be times that you as well as others may be a bit shocked to find what is natural to you. The Bible does not give a very encouraging picture of people who live according to their own nature . . “live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature . .” Ephesians 1:3 NLT. That evil nature is at the root of everything that comes naturally to you.

Ever wondered how that original nature can still affect a Christ-follower? Paul described three states of spiritual life - the natural man, who is oblivious to God and lives by his own wits, will, strength, and resource – the carnal man, who is redeemed and forgiven but still struggles with the old nature – and the spiritual man, who is redeemed, submitted and obedient to God, and living by the power of the Holy Spirit. See 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:3 NKJV.

There is a significant distance between the natural and spiritual man, some noticeable difference between the natural man and the carnal Christian, and a greater measure of distinction between the carnal and spiritual Christian. Another picture of these three stages might be seen as: unborn, immature, and mature – not by chronological age, but by spiritual development and understanding.

The carnal Christian is a person alive in Christ through salvation, but often dominated by worldly affections and attractions. What does that look like, according to Paul? “You are still controlled by your own sinful desires. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your own desires? You are acting like people who don’t belong to the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 3:3 NLT. Such people appear as unsure of themselves, insecure in their salvation, conflicted in their spiritual commitment, unpredictable in behavior, and inconsistent in matters of faith and daily life. Now that’s natural.

Paul had great compassion for those who struggle in such ways in their spiritual lives. “My dear children! Once again I, just like a mother in childbirth, I feel the same kind of pain for you until Christ’s nature is formed in you.” Galatians 4:19 TEV. Can you feel Paul’s heart as you read his words, a spiritual father having personally birthed many of these Christians in Galatia? (Galatia was a province in modern Turkey settled by the Gauls from France, and including cities such as Antioch, Phrygia, Derbe, Lystra, and Iconium). See Acts 13/14. See Acts 13:42-49.

Imagine what it is to have Christ’s very own nature being progressively and increasingly formed in you! Romans 8:28-29 NIV. What would be different about you, better about you? Stated in the simplest of terms, you would be less and less like you and more and more like Jesus! Now that’s an incredible possibility. John the Baptist caught that excitement when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 NKJV. That’s not natural; it’s supernatural. Where, and in what ways, would you like that to begin in you today?

My prayer for you today is: chose the supernatural every time. Anyone can do the other.

Devotionals carnal, natural, nature, spiritual, supernatural