To do good or evil?
Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?” Luke 6:9
Have you ever considered that not doing good is doing evil? For example, if you have an opportunity to help someone, but the timing isn’t great for your schedule so you pass up the opportunity, you have done an evil work instead of a good one. What about if you see someone in need, but you feel they are undeserving of your gift or assistance to get them through another day? Well, according to today’s reading, Jesus said it is one way or the other. Another way you could put it is: Is it the right thing to do to do good for someone, or not do good for someone. Plainly stated, passing up opportunity to do good is evil.
This reminds me of a scripture in the book of James that says: To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. (See James 4:17) It sounds like this passage is saying if you know to do a good deed, and you don’t do it, you are sinning. Ouch! That is pretty cut and dry.
So, what is the solution? I would say the simple answer is when you see an opportunity to do something kind or nice for someone, just do it. Most of the time it doesn’t take up a lot of time. What if you don’t feel like doing it? That really doesn’t matter much. Just consider that if you don’t do it, you are choosing to do evil instead.
The apostle John put it this way: By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1 John 3:16-17) So now we come down to the heart of the subject. It is all about love. If we love others the way Jesus loves us, we will do good every chance we have.
Today I want to encourage you to check your love levels. Ask the Holy Spirit to increase the love and compassion in your heart for others. This is your true calling, and I promise that as you love the people around you, you will recognize purpose in your life. Do good today and not evil by blessing people you meet. Don’t pass up opportunities because of time or feelings. As you do, you will not only be a blessing to others, you will also be a blessing to your Father in heaven.
Today’s scripture reading: Luke 6:1-11
1 Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first that He went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands.
2 And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”
3 But Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even read this, what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him:
4 how he went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, and also gave some to those with him, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?”
5 And He said to them, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”
6 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered.
7 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him.
8 But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood.
9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?”
10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
11But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
The Daily Dose 