Hello

There is a recurring, consistent theme in our Bible: our loving Father commands us to look after those who are disadvantaged, alienated or being treated unjustly, and to be fair and just in our own dealings with others.  This theme crops up again and again.  (I’ve listed just a few of the Old Testament passages below[1].)  This theme starts in Genesis and runs through the prophets and other writings to the New Testament.  The prophet Micah puts it very well:

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

Is this right?  Do all humans know what is good?  I reckon we do.  Just think about the stories we tell, the books we read and the movies we watch.  We see characters who are just and kind – looking after others, taking care of the disadvantaged, sacrificing their own comfort for the well-being of others, maybe even giving up their own lives for others, and in our hearts we know that these are good people.  We know that they are doing what is right.  Then we see other characters.  They are selfish.  They exploit others.  They are only interested in making themselves more comfortable, or rich, or powerful, and in our hearts we know these are not good people.  These people are doing what is wrong.    Deep in our hearts we all know this is true.  We know this is true whether we have any interest in religion or not.  We know what is right.

Jesus confirms this message by stating that we, his followers, should love our neighbors.  He doesn’t make any exceptions.  Our neighbors include everybody.  In particular Jesus tells us, his followers, to care for those we come across who are poor, disadvantaged or alienated (For example: Matthew 23:23; Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 10:25-37).

So, how do I know if God thinks I’m good, or bad?  Well, according to the Bible, God will think I’m good if I love others.

Pray about this.

May our loving, heavenly Father guide you and keep you safe as you serve him.

Jesus is Lord.

Peter O

 

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[1] A few of the many, many passages in the Old Testament showing us that God tells us to look after people who are disadvantaged or alienated or needing justice:
Genesis 18:19; Exodus 23:1-9; Deuteronomy 6:19-20; 1 Kings 10:9; Psalm 33:5; Proverbs 14:31; Proverbs 18:5; Proverbs 31:8-9; Isaiah 10:1-4; Isaiah 61:8; Jeremiah 9:24; Jeremiah 22:15-17; Hosea 12:6; Amos 5:12-15; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 7:9-10; Malachi 3:5.

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