Who told you to do all those good deeds?

[Maryanne Winder Lester]

Who told you to do all those good deeds? 4/1/2010

This one is to all you do-gooders out there. And I have to admit, I’m one of you. I just love to give, give and give some more. I give of my time, I give my clothing, I give away food when I have extra, I give what I consider to be good advice. I take in stray animals and give them good homes. And all of this warms my heart and makes me feel good. And sometimes, it makes me feel proud, and it makes me want to brag, and sometimes it makes me feel better than someone else. It makes me want to say, “Look at what I did!”

It is right to do a good deed. But honestly, God does not get nearly as excited as we do when we accomplish a good deed. It all depends on why we do it. Do we do these things because it makes us feel good? Or do we do them because we are being obedient to God? Do we do them on our own terms or because it is what God commanded? What reward do we expect? Who do we think we are impressing? Frank Sinatra even sang a song about this, “I did it myyyyy way.”

Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23.

There are so many people who think they know what is right and what is good. I mean, certainly casting out demons in the name of Jesus has to be good, right? Well, not necessarily. Not if this act was done to gain personal recognition. Not if it was done so that people would worship you. If that was the motivation, then it is no better than a Circus sideshow. ‘Hurry, hurry, step right up to see the Great and Powerful Oz perform miracles in the name of Jesus!” Please don’t be guilty of false advertising.

The Word of God is the law. All of our actions, including good deed doing, must be done for one reason and one reason only, one way and one way only. That is to follow the perfect will of God, to praise and glorify His name. It’s not even about us!

Please don’t think I am discouraging you from doing good deeds. Please keep doing them. But, be mindful of your motivation. Ask God if this is His will, and not just your own will. Praise Him for His perfect and unquestionable will, and ask it to be done. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Remember Him in everything you do and He will lead you down the right path.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Pray this prayer with me.

Precious Father God,

As I boldly step out of my box of human thinking and listen to the guidance of Your Holy Spirit, I pray that I may know your will. I pray for the eyes of the Spirit which dwells in me to show me the obedient way. In Your truth, I stand boldly; confident that when You come, You will know me, for the deeds and miracles I have performed were done according to Your law. You promised me Lord, that in Your name, I have authority to move this mountain before me. In You, I am a conqueror. Victory is mine.

Amen

Maryanne Winder-Lester 4/1/2010