What is Good
“Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.” - 3 John 1:11
Have you ever heard the phrase, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder?” Basically, what this quote means is that the value of something completely depends on the person in possession of it.
For instance, $1,000,000 holds a different value to you and me than it would to Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg. Many people, when giving advice about life, will tell you to find the things of value for you and pursue those things.
But that is not what Jesus says. Nor is it what the Bible instructs us to do. John says in 3 John 1:11, “Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.”
Did you catch that? He says, “Follow only what is good.” Now, money, nice homes, nice cars, large pieces of land...those are not “bad” things. These are things that are simply neutral. They are not good, and they are not bad.
But God also doesn’t say “follow what is neutral.” What He says is to follow what is GOOD. How do we know what is GOOD? We must learn! You say, “Pastor, how do I know what is good to God?”
Why don’t you ask Him? If we do not know what is good in the eyes of God, it might take getting to know God better. And that starts with communicating with Him! Why don’t you start by praying and asking Him to show you what His good and perfect will is for your life, today?
Have you ever heard the phrase, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder?” Basically, what this quote means is that the value of something completely depends on the person in possession of it.
For instance, $1,000,000 holds a different value to you and me than it would to Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg. Many people, when giving advice about life, will tell you to find the things of value for you and pursue those things.
But that is not what Jesus says. Nor is it what the Bible instructs us to do. John says in 3 John 1:11, “Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.”
Did you catch that? He says, “Follow only what is good.” Now, money, nice homes, nice cars, large pieces of land...those are not “bad” things. These are things that are simply neutral. They are not good, and they are not bad.
But God also doesn’t say “follow what is neutral.” What He says is to follow what is GOOD. How do we know what is GOOD? We must learn! You say, “Pastor, how do I know what is good to God?”
Why don’t you ask Him? If we do not know what is good in the eyes of God, it might take getting to know God better. And that starts with communicating with Him! Why don’t you start by praying and asking Him to show you what His good and perfect will is for your life, today?
Free Email Devotional - Sign Up Now
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Why Me?Ordinary but ChosenYour Past Prepares You for God's FutureWhy Not Me?The Burden of PreparationIt’s Bigger Than YouJust Show UpAnchored in PrayerBreakthrough Was Always God's PlanWaiting on Your BreakthroughTransformative Power of PrayerThe Art of PrayerThe God of BreakthroughKryptoniteLifelineThe Dare of DependenceWho Needs Your Prayers?Soaring in PrayerObedience Through PrayerThe Power of Prayer in Overcoming TemptationIs Your Heart Prepared for God's Mighty Work?The Joy of SimplicityPatient in Affliction, Faithful in PrayerBurning PrayersWhile You Wait...He WorksChoosing His Will with Free WillEquipped for Victory: Overcoming Sin from WithinEverydayThe Great I AMSaying Yes to GodOrdinary People, Extraordinary God
February
Freedom from LabelsFaithful Before the AppointmentLabels Don’t Define YouPut Off the ArmorRun Your Own RaceA Champion, Not a ContestantThe Story’s Not OverWhat Really MattersWinning the Battle WithinYou Are Positioned for a PurposeYour Worth Is SetYou Are EnoughTake Off the MaskOn Purpose, For a PurposeKnown. Loved. Enough.What Are You Afraid of Losing?What Are You Trying to Hide?What Are You Still Trying to Prove?What Are You Chasing?Stop Faking ItAre You Living in Fear?Stop Hiding Behind FearLive in God’s TruthOne OpportunityYour Identity Is in ChristYou’re His WorkmanshipYour Weakness Doesn’t Disqualify YouYou’re in God’s Providence
March
Stop Living the LiesGod Put You HereGod Didn’t Make a MistakeYou Belong HereTake Off the MaskBreaking Free from Imposter SyndromeWhat Are You Afraid of Losing?What Are You Still Trying to Prove?Leading with HumilityLeading with WisdomStop Holding Yourself BackWho Are You Really?The Cost of Believing the LieT.H.I.N.K.Failure Is Not FinalThere is a Dream Inside of YouIt’s Time to Dream AgainThe Journey to Your DreamBe Careful Who You Share Your Dream WithWhen the Dream Leads to a PitThey Can’t Steal God’s FavorFaithful in the Small ThingsIntegrity When No One (and Everyone) is WatchingWhose Name Are You Building?God Will Honor Your ObedienceGod Will Honor Your ObedienceGod Has Not Forgotten YouA Renewed Mind Changes EverythingA Mind Set on the SpiritChange Starts from the Inside OutThe Power of BeliefA Renewed Mind Sees Differently
No Comments