Obstacles To Doing Good

We spoke yesterday about doing all the good we can.

We know we are created to do good.  I quote these words so often you probably have them memorized like I do.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10

So, God created us to do good.  Truth be told, it’s not always easy to do good is it?

Sometimes we just get tired of doing whatever we are doing and so the first encouragement for us in overcoming obstacles to doing good is to simply not give up.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

We are happy to do good until someone treats us badly and then what a challenge it is not to pay back wrong for wrong or just simply to avoid doing good to “those people.”  So the challenging question for each of us today then is, “Who am I unwilling to do good to and will I allow God to change my heart?”

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

1 Thessalonians 5:15

But the biggest obstacle to doing good isn’t any of those things is it?  It’s simply that battle that goes on in our hearts

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

Romans 7:18

Loving God, You are good and You call us to be good and to do good today.  Please continue to work in us to root out all those sinful things that keep us from living up to the full potential of being good and doing good that You created for us to be today.

Fortify us when we get tired.  Give us grace to bless those who do wrong to us.  And most of all, give us humility and courage to see our own hearts as You see them and allow You to change us as You know we need changing. Amen

Well, one more time let’s let John Wesley’s words invite us to a good day:

God, please help us today to:

Do all the good we can, by all the means we can, in all the ways we can, in all the places we can, at all the times we can, to all the people we can, as long as ever we can.  John Wesley