God Loves the Good People

"…The grace of God extends from the privileged to the poor, from the mighty to the meek, and from the famous to the forgotten.”

Here is an interesting Bible story.

And in Joppa was a certain disciple named Tabitha (which translated is called Dorcas). She was full of good works and kind deeds which she did. And it happened in those days, becoming sick, she died. And washing her, they laid her in an upper room. And, because Lydda was near Joppa, hearing that Peter is in it, the disciples sent two men to him, begging him not to delay to come to them. And rising up, Peter went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. And all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. And putting them all out, Peter knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, Tabitha, arise! And she opened her eyes. And when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. And when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. (Act 9:36-41,MKJV)

I will say it; there is a special place in the heart of God for people who are doing good the best they know how. If you have tried to be one of those people, then keep reading.

God loves you. A rich young ruler came to Jesus asking what he had to do to receive eternal life. Jesus quoted to him six of the 10 Commandments. The man said he had kept these since his youth. Then Mark wrote: “Jesus beholding him, loved him.”

There is a special place in the plan of God for people who do good, because he loves them. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9.

Also consider the Roman centurion who sought healing for his servant. Not feeling worthy to ask Jesus directly, he sent some Jewish leaders whom he knew to make the request. They explained to Jesus how he loved the Jewish people, even sponsoring the building of a synagogue. On the basis of this good works report, Jesus went with them to heal the servant of a military commander of the occupying forces. This is amazing when you think about it.

“The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9.

The mission of Jesus in the first century A.D. was one of mercy, not judgment. He did not lower the standard of perfection, but extended grace. He said, “Be perfect for your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

In spite of maintaining the highest standard for human behavior, Jesus called out, “Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Mat 11:28-30,MKJV). Jesus is recruiting the imperfect.

This means he will nourish the weak and faltering attempts of those who seek to do good without smothering them with criticisms about their lack of perfection. Isaiah prophesied about the ministry of Jesus saying, “He will not break a bruised reed, and He will not quench a smoking wick, until He sends out judgment to victory. And in His name the nations shall trust." (Mat 12:20-22, MKJV)

In this light, Dorcas received a resurrection healing because she sewed garments for the poor. (I should name this blog “Sewing Is Sowing”!). Also, a Roman commander’s intercessory prayer for healing was answered because he loved the people of the Book.

Jesus taught that a glass of water gifted to a thirsty person in his name will be rewarded. Cornelius' alms were remembered by God before he was saved. Get the picture? God blesses imperfect people and shows them more of Himself.

Do not discount the truth of the mercy of God because of some theological caveat. Sometimes religious Christians get so “biblically theological” they put God in a box. They argue, You can’t say anyone is good because Scripture says, “There is none that does good, no, not one.” Yes, but…

Scripture also says that the Gentile Cornelius was told by an angel in a dream that, “Your alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.” Peter confirmed this divine dream saying, “Of the truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that fears Him, and works righteousness, is accepted with Him” (Acts 10:30–35). Peter, like Paul (Acts 19) and Aquilla and Priscilla (Acts 18), could then teach them more: that all the fullness and grace of God comes through Jesus Christ. We all learn by degrees, and God leads us to fuller truths throughout our lives.

The grace of God extends from the privileged to the poor, from the mighty to the meek, and from the famous to the forgotten. Those who are doing good know the difference between good and bad and have thought deeply about right from wrong.

Repentance comes to them more easily because they understand that their goodness is not unlimited, nor universal, and their shortcomings grieve them. God loves them and will lead them to the words of faith so that they can put their full trust in Jesus Christ, just as Peter preached the gospel to Cornelius and his household, and they believed.

Paul reminded the church at Philippi of the wonderful grace of God through Jesus Christ by quoting a hymn of his day. The International Standard Version of the Bible has translated this hymn found in Philippians chapter 2:6-11 in a unique way attempting to reflect its original poetry. I call it the Song of Salvation.

In God's own form existed he, and shared with God equality, deemed nothing needed grasping.

Instead, poured out in emptiness, a servant's form did he possess, a mortal man becoming.

In human form he chose to be, and lived in all humility, death on a cross obeying.

Now lifted up by God to heaven, a name above all others given, this matchless name possessing.

And so, when Jesus' name is called, the knees of everyone should fall wherever they're residing.

Then every tongue in one accord, will say that Jesus the Messiah is Lord, while God the Father praising.