Today's Journal

DOING GOOD I

There is a courteous answer that comes naturally when asked, ‘How y’all doing?’ It is comfortable to say, ‘I/we are doing good.” (not well, good). This is usually the answer given in return regardless of how we might really be. That’s polite. This also applies to Good Works. Good work is often simply Doing Good.

“But if good works are not the cause of salvation, they are none the less the mark and effect of it. If the forgiven man does not become forgiving, the loved man loving, then he is only deceiving himself. "You shall know them by their fruits," Jesus says, and here Gentle Jesus Meek and Mild becomes Christ the Tiger, becomes both at once, this stern and loving man. "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire," he says, and Saint Paul is only echoing him when he writes to the Galatians, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law." (Frederick Buechner)
This becomes much like James, an apostle, explained: “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So, you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless” (James 2:14-17).
So, how y’all doing?

“You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.” Jesus