What People Need to Know
People need to know how to repent. They need to be told more than to turn around and go the other way. They need to be told how to go the other way. They need to be told that practicing righteousness is the Way of the Lord (Matt. 21:32; Acts 18:25-26). Some 2,000 years ago, the disobedient spoke evil of this Way and this caused no small disturbance (Acts 19:9, 23). It will be the same today.
This Way is simply overcoming evil by doing good for the Father in heaven, as Jesus did (Rom. 12:21; Psalm 37:27). Jesus did all His good works in the Father’s name (John 10:25). Now, we are to do good works in the Lord Jesus Christ’s name, giving thanks through Him to God the Father (Col. 3:17). Jesus always did things that were pleasing to the Father (John 8:29). We, too, are to learn what pleases the Lord by living to the Spirit and by doing all we do in love (Eph. 5:10; Gal. 5:25; 1 Cor. 16:14). We are to do good works, like Dorcas, who was continually doing deeds of kindness and charity (Rom. 2:6-8; Acts 9:36-41). She died in the Lord and was brought back to life to show us that those who do good works will be partakers in the resurrection of the righteous (John 5:29).
Doing good works is how you repent and return to God so that your sins are wiped away (Acts 3:19). Job knew his sins were not being held against him because he lived to be a servant of others for God (Job 14:16-17; 29:12-18; Matt. 25:33-40). He knew God considered him blameless and upright because he was turning away from evil by doing good for God (Job 1:1, 8; 2:3; Rom. 12:21).
Have you started to do good for God daily in your life? If so, can you say with Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also all who have longed for His appearing" (2 Tim. 4:7-8)? Have you overcome the pulls of the flesh as our perfect example, Jesus Christ, did (John 16:33)? Do you have Jesus Christ formed in you (Gal. 4:19)? Have you been tested and perfected by God (2 Cor. 13:9, 11; 1 Peter 5:10)? Are you a new creation yet (Gal. 6:15)? Have you overcome by keeping Jesus Christ’s works in your life daily (Rev. 2:26)?
Now you know how to live this Way, which Jesus Christ said is easy and pleasant (Matt. 11:30). It does not take intelligence, just daily obedience to your loving Father in heaven (Acts 6:7; 1 Cor. 1:26-28; 2:9). All you need to do is please Him with all your words and deeds (Heb. 13:16; Col. 3:17). Learn to be selfless, like Jesus Christ, by being a servant to others (Matt. 23:11). Put others first (1 Cor. 10:24). Practice love and charity to everyone you meet (Luke 11:41). Be a friend to everyone (Matt. 5:46-47). In short, live only to do good for God, as Jesus Christ said you should (Matt. 5:48).