Do Good Things

In all situations - good and bad - do good things, be a good person, and walk-in love, and good things will happen to you.

For a few years in a row when I was in high school, I played on a really good select team. We all got along, we all competed with each other - not against each other, and we were successful. Select sports are competitive, and with that competitiveness comes selfishness, jealousy, and envy. But not with our team. We competed at the highest level, but we did so together. We were a true team, and it showed on and off the court.

One of my good friends was not as fortunate. He was on one of those select teams that were full of selfishness, jealousy, and envy. They were always fighting, and there was no trust. When he would come to me for advice or to vent, I looked down on him and his situation. I judged him and his actions. I would say things like, "Be a better leader," or, "Communicate better with your teammates." I felt like he was not doing enough to help his team like I was, and I judged him for it.

The next year, I had to join another team and it was a completely different experience. It was a nightmare. I was now living in the same situation that my friend was describing, and I was miserable. Luckily, my friend had a better ear to hear than I did, and he was there for me.

I learned a very valuable lesson in that. I learned what it means to sow and reap judgment, I learned that judgment leads to condemnation, and I learned that I was looking at myself through rose-colored glasses, but I was looking at everyone else through a magnifying glass. I was now in the same situation that I judged my friend in. I was reaping some of the judgment that I had sowed.

Often we make excuses for our own behavior and feel sorry for ourselves, but we don't show that same mercy and grace when someone does the same thing we have done.

I have done the same thing with injuries. When my teammates get hurt and have to miss practice, I catch myself judging them and their toughness. But when I have similar injuries and just can't compete, I expect them to understand my pain and accept my situation.

A Bible verse that can help with this is Matthew 7:1,2. It says, "Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourself. For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in an accordance with the measure you use to deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you."

I had to learn that it is unhealthy to judge anyone. Matthew 7:6 says, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” 

I had to learn how to live and walk in love. Really, I had to learn how to live the golden rule - "Do to others what I would have them do to me (Matthew 7:12)." Another important verse to remember is Galatians 6:7. It says, "Don't be misled - you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant."

The world can be cruel, mean, and ugly. People will lie to you and on you, judge you, and talk bad about you. There will be many opportunities for you to do the same. There will be many opportunities for you to judge people. But remember that it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes, for in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed - a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, and the righteous live by faith (Romans 1:16-17).

In all situations - good and bad - do good things, be a good person, and walk-in love, and good things will happen to you.

This Week

1 - Replace judgemental thoughts with something else. Guard your heart because out of it flows the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23). When you have a thought of judgment, jealousy, or envy, recognize it and replace it with a thought of peace, love, or joy.

2 - Love is ready to believe the best of every person and every situation (1 Corinthians 13:7). Meditate on the components of love and make sure that your thoughts align with what God would want from you.

For a Google Doc version of this, click here: Week 44 Devotional