Why Good People Do Good Things

“Since doing good makes you feel good, it doesn’t really count, since you benefit too.”

 
Give me a break. Of course, I’ve heard it before, as I am sure you have. And it is a bunch of hogwash. Let us follow the logic of that statement:
 
Good people feel good when they do good things.
Good people feel bad when they do bad things.
Bad people feel good when they do bad things.
Bad people feel bad when they do good things.
 
Since, feeling good when you do good things means “it doesn’t count”, then only bad people can do good things that “count” since they won’t feel good doing it.
We could also say that only good people can do bad things, since bad people get some benefit from the bad they do, where there is no benefit to anyone for the bad things that good people do.
 
So there we have it, only good people can do bad things, and only bad people can do good things.
 
See, hogwash. I suspect such statements come from those who long to feel less guilty about their lack of good actions.
 
Of course you feel good doing good. Doesn’t it make sense that we would feel best when we do things consistent with our nature? And as we follow Christ our nature is supposed to become increasingly like it was in the beginning when we were all made in the “image of God.” We are built for good things, we are saved for good things, the world is better for us doing good things, and even God is pleased:
 
      Matthew 5:16  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
 
So go out and feel good about the good things you do. Use that feeling of goodness to motivate you to be more like Christ. And hey, if they benefit and we benefit shouldn’t we just praise God that everybody is better off?

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Submitted by Vicky maiden on Tue, 2009-05-12 16:04.
As a Christian, we know that Christ saved us, not based on the "good things" we've done, but because of His mercy. If we have committed our lives to Christ and choose to live those lives with purpose, we WILL devote ourselves to doing good. We simply can't help it! Titus 3:3-8 says it well: "3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.[a] 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” 8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone." Since we continue as a work in progress, we may have an "off" day, usually described as "bad". Keeping a fresh relationship with with Christ will help to keep those days at a minimum.
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Vicky