12 17 07 Eager to do Good

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.
It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live
self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope
in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
He gave himself for us to set us free from every kind of lawlessness
and to purify for himself a people who are truly his, who are eager to do good.”
(Titus 2:11-14)

God appeared to many in times past: Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. He became flesh and dwelt among the Apostles and those in His day. He even appeared o many after His resurrection; more than five-hundred individuals, including the greatest theologian of the New Testament, Paul (Saul). He promises to return, for the final glorious appearing, the believers’ hope. For this reason we are (or should be) EAGER TO DO GOOD, for no other reason than to honor our Father and so others may see our good works and in return, honor our Father as well. Today, 2007, people need to see good works and for the right reason!

Most people are EAGER TO DO GOOD at CHRISTmas time, but for what reason? Is it to receive a gift in return, to make others feel guilty, or for future favors? The main reason for our giving of gifts should be to reflect the Lord’s giving to us in the person of Christ Jesus and the freedom we now have because “He gave Himself”! We give because He gave and still gives! As we give, we share the reason and share His love. In this way, God appears to those we touch by our words and actions. As it has been said, we may be the only Gospel people may ever see or hear!

So this is CHRISTmas:

What have we done? Why are we doing it? Why do we stop after December? What can we do to change it?

Christ gave Himself for us to be set free to live for Him, apart from the restrictions of the world, to be EAGER TO DO GOOD by His grace. Paul challenges us to be living sacrifices, not conformed to the world, by transformed by the Spirit of the living God and His Word. This is a 24/7 life, not a one month, one week, or one day effort. CHRISTmas day is a celebration of Jesus’ birth. Each day we live is an opportunity to celebrate His life and the life we have in Him.

Let’s be EAGER TO DO GOOD!