June 25, 2015

“A ruler asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but G*d alone.” Luke 18:18-19

“All right, Christianity will you do good–a great deal more good than you ever wanted or expected. And the first bit of good it will do you is to hammer into your head (you won’t enjoy that!) the fact that what you have hitherto called “good”–all that about “leading a decent life” and “being kind”–isn’t quite the magnificent and all-important affair you supposed. It will teach you that in fact you can’t be “good” (not for twenty-four hours) on your own moral efforts. Mere morality is not the end of life. You were made for something quite different from that.” C. S. Lewis (1898 – 1963) G*d in the Dock “For All The Saints”, volume II (p. 133)

In my congregation we begin the service with the words “G*d is good all the time — and all the time G*d is good”. It is a reminder that G*d is always good — nothing will ever change in the character of G*d. G*d is always good. And then, we must assume, that if G*d is good, we are not, can not be, nor will ever be “good” — or as “good” as G*d. But if we are made in the likeness of G*d, then there must be some hope for us — some goodness that can come forth. And there is — once we realize that when Christ truly enters into our very being, then we are transformed into the likeness of Christ — and then goodness comes forth — we are not “good” — Christ’s goodness comes forth in the Christ-like life.

Do some good today — in the name of Jesus. Let the Holy Spirit guide you into the “Christ-like” life and let goodness flow. You can’t do it alone — but Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, will lead you into all goodness.

Pastor Dave