"For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible..."  Colossians 1:16

Many times I hear conversations about how someone is a "good" person.  Somehow it always makes me wonder what is meant by "good".  "Good" in the eyes of man, maybe?  Does that make us "good" in God's eyes?  Because we are nice or friendly or complimentary - or whatever fill-in-the-blank seems to merit the word "good", does it mean we gather enough points to win eternal promises?  Does "good" mean that if we earn enough "stars on our lunchbox" that we have a free pass?

I would like to attempt some clarity on this subject, simply because sometimes I feel we do others a dis-service to make it sound as if their "good-ness" is all they need to please God.  Please understand, I am not knocking "good".  We all typically like good things in our lives, and good works are very important to God!  However, eternal assurance is simply NOT based on OUR "good".  It is based on GOD'S "good"!  In reality ONLY God is good.  By nature we are not.  We might DO good things, but we are not "good".  

God offers HIS "good" to us.  He did it by offering His only Son.  The sacrifice of His "good" became a gift for us who do not possess it without Him.  When we ask Jesus to enter our heart and receive His forgiveness and "goodness", then we are gaining the "good" that is needed to be blameless and pleasing to Him.  Truly we need Jesus to gain the necessary requirements for salvation.  And though people who do "good" things might be respected and even loved for those acts, it does not make them children of God.  "Doing" good can never replace or compare to the ETERNAL "good" that Jesus has done.  

"There is only One who is good...."  Matthew 19:17

Accept HIS goodness!

"He who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."  James 5:20

Some might say that Christians are too forceful with the message they carry.  Others see Christians as legal and unforgiving in their approach.  Still more accuse anyone who speaks of Jesus as irrelevant and out of touch with current life and events.  I suppose for the most part, if one does NOT accept the message shared by a believer, then they naturally will have some sort of reason why either the message or the one who shared it was "wrong". 

To those reading who reject the work of Jesus, I would challenge you to think twice about judging fruit based on the looks of the "truck" that carries it!  Usually the vehicle that hauls much travels over dusty, bumpy roads quite often and may not display as well as the one who cleans it up and brings out its shine.   Christians are people.  People are full of imperfections, weakness and well...humanity!  Only God is perfect.  Only His precious representative, Jesus lived out humanity perfectly.  Our "delivery" is often rough, flawed and lies within a vessel that has taken its own beatings and bumps!  Though believers need to strive to illuminate the One in whom they represent, only HE can bring the shine! 

To those who are believing carriers of the gospel message, let us not cower or be discouraged from delivering the saving message of the cross!!  Remember, it is HIM who draws!  We simply cart the goods and do our best to be stewards of a glorious God!  Truly, when we run after righteousness, others begin to see not us, but the light and life of the One in whom we adore and represent!  Submit to God.  Resist the enemy's influences in your life.  Go  ahead...share the blessed promise of hope that He has divinely placed in your heart!  Realize we are simply instruments of a God who can breathe sweetly through us - even when we are tarnished!

I heard a wonderful sermon yesterday.  It was based on the story of Ruth and Boaz.  Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth had both lost their husbands and suddenly found themselves not only widowed but without provision.  They went to glean grain from a field that belonged to a king who happened to be a distant relative with hopes they could find favor and mercy.  Their very difficult circumstances eventually took a turn that led to a beautiful story of redemption and love.  You see, Boaz was a good king and showed great compassion as he observed Ruth gathering the sparse remains of the harvest.  Though her situation was grim, this man saw her seeking heart and chose to rescue and provide for she and her mother-in-law.  He even quickly chose to marry Ruth and it turns out their lineage became that of yet another king - Jesus. 

I realize that in this WORLD life does not always have happy endings.  Nor  does everyone who experiences loss end up marrying a king and living happily ever after.  The truth is, we all endure life's trials and even its catastrophes in one way or the other.  

The good news is - there IS good news!  There IS a King.  And there IS a happy ending - if we simply choose to gather what we need in HIS field, regardless of our circumstances or tragedies.  Life is hard.  Situations can be overwhelming and appear to have no improvements.  May I encourage you that there is help who can walk on the water.  He is a gracious provider who is interested and wants to be active in our lives if we will but confide in Him.  He does not always choose to keep us from trials, but He DOES promise to go through them with us.  He offers peace, provision, mercy, forgiveness, healing and best of all - eternal promises!  These may not always seem to come in the timing of our wants, but for those who trust and endure the ending will indeed redeem the heartaches of the broken world we daily meet with. 

James 1:12 says, "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial, for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."  

Hold on.  Look up...and call on your King.  His answer might not be the million you wished for, but it will be more than enough - and the happy ending will one day astound you when you see Him face to face.

In South St. Louis City there is an over-population of pit bulls.  In fact we actually own a rescue pit/boxer mix named Minnie.  She is a loyal and gentle friend to our family, which now includes an almost 10-month old grand baby.  Minnie watches the baby as if he were her own and sits faithfully beside him anytime he is on the floor or near by.  Though this dog might appear fierce or ferocious to a stranger, she is a big teddy bear and simply wants be wherever you are - preferrably ON your lap if at all possible!  She lives to snuggle and show affection.  Dedication is all but written across her forehead, and of course we are pleased and more than satisfied with a companion so lovable and steadfast!  As I contemplate faithfulness, even Minnie cannot compare to the perfect loyalty of our God.  His word says He NEVER leaves or forsakes us!  How I pale in my service towards Him!!  

How could I ever earn such dedicated love and mercy?   

I suppose that is the point.  We cannot in a lifetime - or two - or three - ever earn God's amazing grace and lovingkindness!  He simply offers it because He is never-failing in faithfulness!  Wow.  My heart leaps at the very idea that no matter what I have done, He is still faithful.  He still loves me and only asks that I accept and love Him in return.  Not a bad deal!  In fact His saving gift comes complete with His love, peace, compassion and eternal promises.

Lord, I could pray that my time spent with you would be at least as frequent as there are pit bulls in South St. Louis! :)  But more-so, might I be at least as loyal to you as our Minnie is to us.  Might I learn to sit faithfully at Your feet and simply desire to snuggle with a God who so loved me that He offered His only begotten Son to cover my human inability to return such love.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  

Romans 6:23

He completely forgives when we simply accept.  

Accept?

"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called."  

Ephesians 4:1

One of my favorite challenges and perhaps most prayed prayers!  Lord, may it be!!