Topical Bible: Natural Life: should be Spent in Doing Good

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The concept of natural life being dedicated to doing good is deeply rooted in biblical teachings. Scripture consistently emphasizes the importance of living a life that reflects God's goodness and love through our actions and interactions with others.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides numerous exhortations for believers to engage in good works as a reflection of their faith. In Ephesians 2:10 , the Apostle Paul writes, "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life." This verse underscores the idea that doing good is not merely an option but a divinely ordained purpose for believers.

Imitating Christ

Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of a life dedicated to doing good. Acts 10:38 describes Jesus as one "who went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him." Followers of Christ are called to emulate His example, living lives marked by compassion, service, and righteousness.

The Call to Love and Serve Others

The call to do good is closely linked with the command to love one's neighbor. In Galatians 6:9-10 , Paul encourages believers, "Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith." This passage highlights the importance of perseverance in doing good and prioritizing the well-being of others, particularly fellow believers.

Good Works as a Witness

Good works serve as a powerful testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel. In Matthew 5:16 , Jesus instructs, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." By living a life characterized by good deeds, believers can draw others to God and bring glory to His name.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The ability to consistently do good is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." These attributes enable believers to live out their calling to do good, reflecting the character of Christ in their daily lives.

Eternal Perspective

The Bible also teaches that the good done in this life has eternal significance. In 1 Timothy 6:18-19 , Paul advises the wealthy to "do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and ready to share, treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." This passage encourages believers to view their good works as investments in eternal rewards.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly state a conclusion, the overarching message is clear: natural life should be spent in doing good, as it aligns with God's purpose for humanity, reflects the character of Christ, and serves as a witness to the world. Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to fulfill this calling, impacting both the present and eternity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ecclesiastes 3:12
I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Memorial Sketch by John Watson (Ian Maclaren)
... The effort of life should be to do the Will of God ... of life was Peace, the reward
of life was to ... Perhaps his two famous books, "Natural Law in the Spiritual World ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/a memorial sketch by john.htm

Religion not Godliness
... others, because I see them producing their natural fruits in ... should find that he
who loses his life should save it ... But His will is that we should work; and work ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon ii religion not godliness.htm

Sowing in the Wind, Reaping under Clouds
... reference to the business of your own eternal life. ... of my first observation, namely,
that natural difficulties may ... people not to fear; then we should obey him. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/sowing in the wind reaping.htm

The Third Book
... of their degenerate lives has degraded their natural endowments ... holy name without
morality, for a life that denies ... with every deadly sin, why should we beguile ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the third book.htm

The Waterpots at Cana
... may so speak, in the most commonplace and natural style; and ... if it could not be that
eternal life should be given ... my strength for nought," yet we should not be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the waterpots at cana.htm

Members of Christ
... more time with him than we have spent with anybody ... one with Christ, to serve him
should be very natural. ... Christ, and the one purpose of our life should be to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/members of christ.htm

On Kindness and Its Several Parts, Namely, Good-Will and ...
... wished to cheat thee of the reward of eternal life. ... not have to fear lest thy mind
should begin to ... age and weakness; sometimes, also, that natural feeling of ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxx on kindness and.htm

The Analysis
... here and there in this hard, uncharitable world there should still be ... as He laid
down Himself, all through life, and upon ... It comes to us by natural law, or by ...
/.../drummond/the greatest thing in the world and other addresses/the analysis.htm

The Work and the Life
... And in the spiritual as in the natural world, this always ... who toiled in the lowly
walks of life among the ... Everyone who names the name of Christ should so work ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 9 the work and.htm

How Fruits Grow
... in part that the causes which produced it should continue to ... if you try in this simple
and natural way, you ... other method of living the Christian life there is ...
/.../the greatest thing in the world and other addresses/how fruits grow.htm