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Goodness; Discerning What is Good.

What is good? What it is to keep God’sWord?

By God’s Word I mean to do what God expects of us. Why does it matter if we do what He says? What is it exactly that He wants?

These are very simple questions for which there are no simple answers. The best ways to find these answers are through Divine Liturgy, reading the Bible (remember our talk about how to do that) and through heart felt prayer.

  If we don’ t reach out to God through our actions and thoughts, there are very real things that will happen to us. God has given us freedom to choose, so the path you take is up to you. Others may help us make right or wrong choices, but in the end God will judge each of us by OUR actions.

What is good?

- In general, how would you describe good?

- What does the Bible describe as good?

Corinthians I 13:3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Titus 3:1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for any honest work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all men.

 

-         Does Christ ask us to be good? (See Matthew Chapter 5 Sermon on the Mount)

-         Read and think about the following

The entire Bible is filled with instructions about goodness, but this passage contains some essential things for us to discuss.

-         Why be submissive to “authorities”?

-         What do you think is good about not saying evil things?

-         What are some ways we can show courtesy toward others?

What is a "wicked" person?

-         What do you think is wicked?

-         The Bible tells us many things about the wicked.

Psalms 10:3 For the wicked boasts of the desires of his heart, and the man greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD. Psalms 10:4 In the pride of his countenance the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, "There is no God." Psalms 10:5 His ways prosper at all times; thy judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them. Psalms 10:6 He thinks in his heart, "I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity." Psalms 10:7 His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.

Pagan Idol

 

If we know Christ but turn our backs on him, is there any hope?

Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, Hebrews 10:27 but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries.

 

What happens to the wicked?

From our reading in Hebrews, we know that there will be a judgment of our actions. Lets discuss a few points about this.

-         What is judgment day?

-         When is it? (Revelations 3:3 and Luke 12:40)

-         Who will judge and what will he judge us by?

-         What if you fail judgment? (John 5:29 & Revelation 20:15)