Goodness (2) - The level of goodness (2)
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February 24, 2013 |
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 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2).
Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee
As time is drawing near the last hour, sin and evil prevail and it's hard to find goodness and those who have true faith. However, the darker it is the easier it is to spot even a ray of light. Now, love is cooling down and the world is getting more and more evil. If we, as God's children, practice goodness, we can become light shining on the dark world and we can lead people to the Light. In doing so, we can give great glory to God.
In the previous edition, we looked into the first and second levels of goodness of the four steps to achieve perfect goodness. The first level is not to react in evil and to suppress ill-feelings. The second level is not to have any kind of discomfort or ill-feelings. Then, what are the third and fourth levels of goodness and how can we achieve such goodness?
1. The 3rd level of goodness: moving even the hearts of those who do evil against you
At the second level of goodness there is no evilness in the heart, so there is no negative counter-reaction to the evil. This level can be called the level of passive goodness. But, the third level of goodness can be called an active level of goodness. That is, it doesn't stay at the level of not reacting with evil to evil but reaches that of reacting with goodness toward evil people. A person who has achieved this level of goodness can be said to have reached the level of whole spirit.
Matthew 5:39-42 says, "…but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you."
If you can practice the kind of acts of goodness in these verses from the depth of your heart and in a natural way, you are at the 3rd level of goodness. You do not calculate your loss or gain. You don't even care about sacrificing yourself to fulfill what is good. Also, even if there is a person who acts like an enemy towards you, you would only think of the ways to have peace with him. Of course, in reality, you might have to sacrifice yourself. But if your heart is filled with goodness, you would not feel this is something difficult because you find yourself happy to do good.
Also, what is important is that spiritual power is in sinlessness and you will have stronger spiritual light as you get rid of evil and accomplish goodness in you. Once you enter into the 2nd level of goodness, since the enemy devil and Satan cannot work through you due to your spiritual light, tests and trials will leave you. Also, even if you face a trial, you will be blessed because you will pass it with goodness. When you enter into the 3rd level of goodness, the evil one will not be able to even touch you, and you will be able to destroy the deceptive methods of the enemy Satan and the devil.
For example, a person who has acted with evil toward you can be moved in his heart by your words and deeds of goodness so that he will repent and turn from his ways. The reason this happens is because spiritually the enemy devil that was working on the other person leaves because your spiritual light is so strong and the spiritual light reaches the small portion of goodness that is remaining in the other person.
Therefore, I want you to remember that goodness is not being nice and giving up but the power to drive away the enemy Satan and devil and destroy their schemes. And now, are there any of you who are thinking, 'I haven't even cast off my evil yet. When will I be able to pass the 2nd level and reach the 3rd level of goodness?' Galatians 6:9 says, "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary."
Even if you have not yet cast off your evil completely, if you just try to act in goodness, you will be able to get rid of your evil more quickly. Of course, it would be different from good words and good deeds coming from the heart that is completely cultivated with goodness. But if you try to think in goodness, speak in goodness, and act in goodness, then goodness will be added in you, and to the same extent the evil is cast off. If you have removed all the evil in you, then it means you have reached the 2nd level of goodness.
So, even in the 2nd level of goodness, you can have such good words and deeds that can move the heart of the other person. But sometimes, you just stay at the same level by not reacting with evil and only occasionally speaking good words that can comfort the heart of those who act evilly toward you. In addition, you can still act in goodness to move the other person's heart.
At the 3rd level of goodness, however, you will always have words and deeds of only goodness. You should not think you are at the 3rd level of goodness just because you do not have any ill-feelings in you and you speak with good words even to those who did evil to you. You should check whether your good deeds are always the same in any kind of situation and toward any kind of person.
2. The 4th level of goodness: giving your life unsparingly even for those who do evil to you
At the 4th level of goodness that is the highest level, you will be able to give your life unsparingly even for those who do evil to you. It is the level of goodness of God who gave His only begotten Son as an atoning sacrifice for sinners. Also, it is the level of goodness of our Lord Jesus who gave up His life not only for the righteous but also for sinners.
Jesus was hung on a tree to redeem us from the curse of death that was inflicted upon sinners. He shed His precious blood to redeem the sinners from their sins once and for all. This is because God wanted to gain children of whole spirit who have the heart of Jesus Christ and love God to the utmost degree.
In the Bible we can find people who have reached this 4th level of goodness with a heart like Jesus, who gave His life even for evil people. In Exodus 32:32, Moses prayed for the people of Israel who kept on disobeying God's Word. It is said, "But now, if You will, forgive their sin and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!"
Moses let the people of Israel experience God's wondrous works including letting them cross the Red Sea as if they were walking on dry land. Still, they continually complained and grumbled against Moses. Even for such people as this, when God's wrath was about to fall on them, Moses prayed to God. He offered his life as collateral to receive forgiveness for the people.
The apostle Paul confessed in Romans 9:3 which reads, "For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh."
Here, "my brethren, my kinsmen" refer to Jews and Pharisees who persecuted and interfered with the apostle Paul so much. Some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they would kill Paul. Likewise, the apostle Paul wanted even those who persecuted him to be saved though it would cause him to fall.
If you reach this level of goodness, the enemy devil and Satan cannot hinder or interfere with you. You will also be able to receive authority and power and give glory to God greatly. You will dwell in New Jerusalem, the most beautiful place in Heaven, and remain close to the throne of the Father to enjoy greater honor forever.
Dear brothers and sisters, I pray in the name of the Lord that you will long for goodness, obey the Word of God, and come into the level of complete goodness more quickly.
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