The Level of Goodness (2)
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March 11, 2012 |
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 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."(Romans 12:2)
As time is drawing near the last hour, sin and evil prevail and it's hard to find goodness and those who have true faith. However, the darker it is the easier it is to spot even a ray of light. Love is cooling down and the world is getting more and more evil. If we, as God's children, practice goodness, we can become light shining on the dark world and we can lead people to the light. In doing so, we can give great glory to God.
In the previous edition, we looked into the first and second levels of goodness of the four steps to achieve perfect goodness. The first level was not to react in evil and suppressing ill-feelings. The second level was not to have any kind of discomfort or ill-feelings. Then, what are the third and fourth levels of goodness and how can we achieve such goodness?
1. The 3rd Level of Goodness: Moving Even the Hearts of Those who Do Evil against You
At the second level of goodness there is no evilness in the heart or mind so there is no negative counter-reaction to the evil. This level can be called the level of passive goodness. However, at the third level of goodness evil is not just non-reactive but the evil is met with goodness. It is the level of goodness that can be called an active level of goodness.
A person who has achieved this level of goodness can be said to have reached the level of whole spirit.
Matthew 5:39-42 says, "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you." If you can practice the kind of acts of goodness in these verses from the depth of your heart and in a natural way, you are at the 3rd level of goodness.
You do not calculate your loss or gain. You don't even care about sacrificing yourself to fulfill what is good. Also, even if there is a person who acts like an enemy towards you, you would only think of the ways to have peace with him. Of course, in reality, you might have to sacrifice yourself and take the burden for the moment. But if your heart is filled with true goodness, you would not feel this is something difficult.
Also, what is important is that spiritual power is in sinlessness and you will have stronger spiritual light as you get rid of evil and accomplish goodness in you. Once you enter into the 2nd level of goodness, since the enemy devil and Satan cannot work through you due to your spiritual light, tests and trials will leave you. Also, even if you face a trial, you will be blessed because you will pass it with goodness. When you enter into the 3rd level of goodness, the evil one will not be able to even touch you, and you will be able to destroy the deceptive and misleading methods of the enemy Satan and the devil.
For example, a person who has acted with evil toward you can be moved in his heart by your words and deeds of goodness, so that he will repent and turn from his ways. The reason this happens is that spiritually, the enemy devil that was working on the other person leaves because your spiritual light is so strong. That spiritual light reaches the small portion of goodness that is remaining in the other person. Therefore, I want you to remember that goodness is not just being nice and showing weakness by giving up, instead it is the power to drive away the enemy Satan and devil and destroy their schemes.
And now, are there any of you who are thinking, "I haven't even cast off my evil yet. When will I be able to pass the 2nd level and reach the 3rd level of goodness?" Galatians 6:9 says, "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." Even if you have not yet cast off your evil completely, if you just try to act in goodness, you will be able to get rid of your evil more quickly.
Of course, it would be different from good words and good deeds coming from the heart that is completely cultivated with goodness. But, if you try your best to add goodness to your heart in loving God, you will have that goodness coming out from that accumulated goodness. If you try to think in goodness, speak in goodness, and act in goodness, then goodness will be added in you to the same extent that the evil is cast off. If you have removed all the evil in you, then it means you have reached the 2nd level of goodness.
So, even in the 2nd level of goodness, you can have such good words and deeds that can move the heart of the other person. But sometimes, you just stay at the same level by not reacting with evil and only occasionally speaking good words that can comfort the heart of those who act evilly toward you. In addition, you can still act in goodness to move the other person's heart.
At the 3rd level of goodness, you will always have words and deeds of only goodness. You should not think you are at the 3rd level of goodness just because you do not have any ill-feelings in you and you speak with good words even to those who did evil to you. You should check whether your good deeds are always the same in any kind of situation and toward any kind of person.
2. The 4th Level of Goodness: Giving Your Life Unsparingly Even for Those Who Do Evil to You
At this level, you will be able to give your life unsparingly even for those who do evil to you. It is the level of goodness of God who gave His one and only Son as an atoning sacrifice for sinners. Also, it is the level of goodness of our Lord Jesus who gave up His life not only for the righteous but also for sinners.
Jesus was hung on a tree to redeem us from the curse of death that was inflicted upon sinners. He shed His precious blood to redeem the sinners from their sins once and for all. Therefore, we should realize this love and grace of the Lord and fulfill what He desired of us taking up all the sufferings. We should become the spiritual children whom God wants, children who love God to the utmost degree and whose hearts are truly good and perfect.
In the Bible we can find people who have reached this 4th level of goodness with a heart like Jesus who gave His life even for evil people. In Exodus 32:32, Moses prayed for the people of Israel who kept on disobeying God's Word. It is said, "But now, if You will, forgive their sin and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!"
Moses let the people of Israel experience God's wondrous works including letting them cross the Red Sea as if they were walking on dry land. Still, they continually complained and grumbled against Moses. They even tried to stone him! Even for such people as this, when God's wrath was about to fall on them, Moses prayed to God. He offered his life as collateral to receive forgiveness for the people.
The apostle Paul confessed in Romans 9:3 which reads, "For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh."
Here, "my brethren, my kinsmen" refer to Jews and Pharisees who persecuted and interfered with the apostle Paul so much. Some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they would kill Paul. Likewise, the apostle Paul did not want his brothers, those of his own race, to come to complete ruin even though they persecuted and distressed him so much.
Abraham, Elijah, and Enoch also reached the highest level of goodness. If you reach the highest level of goodness, the enemy devil and Satan cannot hinder or interfere with you. You will also be able to receive authority and power and give glory to God greatly. You will dwell in New Jerusalem, the most beautiful place in Heaven, and remain close to the throne of the Father to enjoy greater honor forever. Therefore, I hope you will long for goodness and come into the level of complete goodness more quickly.
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