Bible Reading: Philippians 2:1-11 & Titus 3:5
God wants us to do kind things for other people. He expects us to “look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). When we do, we
glorify, honor, and please God and help others to see God and recognize their need for Him. Our lives should be overflowing with good deeds.
By studying Jesus’ life and ministry here on earth, we can learn to be better “good deed doers”. Jesus modeled for us the art of selflessly doing good things for others. For example, Titus 3:5 tells us that Jesus died on the cross, sacrificing Himself to save us “not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit…”
We are accountable to God for the good deeds that we do – or don’t do. God notices the good things that we do for others and he remembers them. In fact, God has promised us a special reward for doing good things for others.
While we should mirror Jesus to others through our actions, no amount of good deeds will buy our way into heaven. We go to heaven because of what Jesus did for us by dying on the cross, not because of anything that we do.
Are your good deeds a way to say, “Thank you,” to God for saving you or an effort to work your way to heaven? Are they selfless – or self-serving?
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3
Prayer: Heavenly Father, doing kind things for others is my way of saying, “Thank you,” for saving me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.