Be an Example of Good Works over Bad

Scripture

Our verse for today comes from John 10:32, ” Jesus answered them, ‘Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?’ “

Background

You’d be hard-pressed to find an American president that didn’t accomplish at least one significant task during his tenure. To be sure, some have a long list of feats that mark their years in Washington. One particular president is credited with several notable accomplishments, including the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These two organizations are tasked with the vital roles of protecting us and our environment from risk to our health, as well as assuring safe and healthful working conditions. This president also presided over the ratification of the 26th amendment to our Constitution, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. And he also signed into law Title IX, which banned discrimination on the basis of sex for any federally funded educational benefits. However, it was on his watch that the Watergate scandal occurred, which stemmed from the burglary and wiretapping of the Democratic Party headquarters. And it was this scandal that eventually led to President Nixon’s resignation a mere 21 months after he had won re-election by the third-largest margin in the past 200 years. All of that good, and certainly much more, sullied and stained by this one particular event. It was pointless to remind the citizens of all that he had accomplished in light of this failure and indiscretion. The damage was done.

Application

Jesus had done much good. But it didn’t matter in the eyes of His accusers. He had blasphemed, and therefore deserved to be stoned. All His good could not outweigh His bad. Yet, His generation and every one before and since, had put its hope in the tipping of the scales in favor of their good deeds over their faults. Ironically, the standard that cost Jesus His life does in fact condemn all who hope in it rather than the resurrected Criminal. No amount of good can undo the sin. It’s only the condescension of God’s Son to an ungodly death that can deliver from the penalty that awaits us all. Be absolutely certain that your hope rests solely in the power of Jesus Christ.

Charge

As we seek Him today, let your good far outweigh your bad, but let your faith in Jesus be your confidence.