BROUGHT TO LIFE FOR THE GOOD OF LIFE...

*GOD* GAVE Mankind responsibilities; to take care of the Earth, and all upon it! We were NOT CREATED to be idle, complacent, or negligent! We ARE made to work, to LOVE one another, and to have respect, and regard for everything which has life, and breath---

There have been recent arguments against *GOD*, and HIS people, because of things which WE, the humans on this Earth, have failed at, in many ways, and has caused grave problems; the doubters feel that all could be 'fixed' NOW, if there were a *GOD*, YET, they absolutely REFUSE to acknowledge that WE HAVE contributed largely to the troubles on this planet!!!

People ARE to care for the Earth, one another, the animals, and other life-forms, and do so with the intent, and heart of honest care, and compassion! BECAUSE of the ME, ME, ME syndrome, and mentality, the TRUTH of our purposes IS PROVING HOW we have NOT grasped the SIGNIFICANCE of our usefulness! It is like slapping us in the face, SHOWING us the cause, and effects OF our stubborn, and ignorant ways...

WHILE we ARE CREATED to PRAISE, and WORSHIP THE LORD *GOD*, our DUTIES TO HIM, and HIS WILL INCLUDE caring for one another, and all on this planet; WHICH MAKES PERFECT sense, don't you think?!!

GENESIS 2: 15...
The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

After God had formed Adam, he put him in the garden. All boasting was thereby shut out. Only he that made us can make us happy; he that is the Former of our bodies, and the Father of our spirits, and none but he, can fully provide for the happiness of both. Even in paradise itself man had to work. None of us were sent into the world to be idle. He that made our souls and bodies, has given us something to work with; and he that gave us this earth for our habitation, has made us something to work upon. The sons and heirs of heaven, while in this world, have something to do about this earth, which must have its share of their time and thoughts; and if they do it with an eye to God, they as truly serve him in it, as when they are upon their knees. Observe that the husbandman's calling is an ancient and honourable calling; it was needful even in paradise. Also, there is true pleasure in the business God calls us to, and employs us in. Adam could not have been happy if he had been idle: it is still God's law, He that will not work has no right to eat, 2Th 3:10.

Man is to be the steward of the earth; he is to bring the material world and all of its varied elements into the service of God and the good of mankind. The command to subdue the earth is actually part of God’s blessing on mankind. Created in the image of God, Adam and Eve were to use the earth’s vast resources in the service of both God and themselves. It would only make sense for God to decree this, since only humans were created in God’s image.

Then we are taught that TRUE WORSHIP IS TO LOVE one another; to provide for those who need it; to care for the lost, lonely, downtrodden, orphans, widows, and in short, ALL who are lacking...

PHILIPPIANS 2: 4...
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

PROVERBS 21: 13...
He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered.

Such as oppress the poor by beating down wages, such as will not relieve according to their ability those in distress, and those in authority who neglect to do justice, stop their ears at the cry of the poor. But doubtless care is to be used in the exercise of charity.

JOB 29: 12...
Because I delivered the poor who cried for help, And the orphan who had no helper. 

All sorts of people paid respect to Job, not only for the dignity of his rank, but for his personal merit, his prudence, integrity, and good management. Happy the men who are blessed with such gifts as these! They have great opportunities of honouring God and doing good, but have great need to watch against pride. Happy the people who are blessed with such men! it is a token for good to them. Here we see what Job valued himself by, in the day of his prosperity. It was by his usefulness. He valued himself by the check he gave to the violence of proud and evil men. Good magistrates must thus be a restraint to evil-doers, and protect the innocent; in order to this, they should arm themselves with zeal and resolution. Such men are public blessings, and resemble Him who rescues poor sinners from Satan. How many who were ready to perish, now are blessing Him! But who can show forth His praises? May we trust in His mercy, and seek to imitate His truth, justice, and love. 

GALATIANS 6: 9...
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Many excuse themselves from the work of religion, though they may make a show, and profess it. They may impose upon others, yet they deceive themselves if they think to impose upon God, who knows their hearts as well as actions; and as he cannot be deceived, so he will not be mocked. Our present time is seed time; in the other world we shall reap as we sow now. As there are two sorts of sowing, one to the flesh, and the other to the Spirit, so will the reckoning be hereafter. Those who live a carnal, sensual life, must expect no other fruit from such a course than misery and ruin. But those who, under the guidance and influences of the Holy Spirit, live a life of faith in Christ, and abound in Christian graces, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. We are all very apt to tire in duty, particularly in doing good. This we should carefully watch and guard against. Only to perseverance in well-doing is the reward promised. Here is an exhortation to all to do good in their places. We should take care to do good in our life-time, and make this the business of our lives. Especially when fresh occasions offer, and as far as our power reaches. 

MICAH 6: 6-8...
6+++With what shall I come to the LORD
And bow myself before the God on high?
Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings,
With yearling calves?
7+++Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams,
In ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts,
The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8+++He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Deep conviction of guilt and wrath will put men upon careful inquiries after peace and pardon, and then there begins to be some ground for hope of them. In order to God's being pleased with us, our care must be for an interest in the atonement of Christ, and that the sin by which we displease him may be taken away. What will be a satisfaction to God's justice? In whose name must we come, as we have nothing to plead as our own? In what righteousness shall we appear before him? The proposals betray ignorance, though they show zeal. They offer that which is very rich and costly. 

Those who are fully convinced of sin, and of their misery and danger by reason of it, would give all the world, if they had it, for peace and pardon. Yet they do not offer aright. The sacrifices had value from their reference to Christ; it was impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sin. And all proposals of peace, except those according to the gospel, are absurd. They could not answer the demands of Divine justice, nor satisfy the wrong done to the honour of God by sin, nor would they serve at all in place of holiness of the heart and reformation of the life. 

Men will part with any thing rather than their sins; but they part with nothing so as to be accepted of God, unless they do part with their sins. Moral duties are commanded because they are good for man. In keeping God's commandments there is a great reward, as well as after keeping them. God has not only made it known, but made it plain. The good which God requires of us is, not the paying a price for the pardon of sin and acceptance with God, but love to himself; and what is there unreasonable, or hard, in this? Every thought within us must be brought down, to be brought into obedience to God, if we would walk comfortably with him. We must do this as penitent sinners, in dependence on the Redeemer and his atonement. Blessed be the Lord that he is ever ready to give his grace to the humble, waiting penitent.

1 JOHN 3: 17...
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? 

Here is the condescension, the miracle, the mystery of Divine love, that God would redeem the church with his own blood. Surely we should love those whom God has loved, and so loved. The Holy Spirit, grieved at selfishness, will leave the selfish heart without comfort, and full of darkness and terror. By what can it be known that a man has a true sense of the love of Christ for perishing sinners, or that the love of God has been planted in his heart by the Holy Spirit, if the love of the world and its good overcomes the feelings of compassion to a perishing brother? Every instance of this selfishness must weaken the evidences of a man's conversion; when habitual and allowed, it must decide against him. If conscience condemn us in known sin, or the neglect of known duty, God does so too. Let conscience therefore be well-informed, be heard, and diligently attended to.

There are countless other references, from THE OLD TESTAMENT, all the way through THE NEW TESTAMENT, urging us to DO what we have been CREATED for in our WORSHIP of THE LORD *GOD*, FOR HIS GLORY, and the greater good of all, and everything! We HAVE lost sight OF our purposes, of our usefulness, AS we pursue what is of the world, and ignore the deeper, more optimizing, and more TRUE ways which HE HAS taught us, and bid of us! It is NEVER too late; as long as HE GIVES us this day, we CAN fulfill HIS WILL FOR our us, and bring all the wrongs INTO THE LIGHT, THAT they are diminished, and eradicated! Let us EVERY day, study, learn, embrace, AND utilize HIS PRECIOUS instructions WHICH LEAD us through this valley INTO THE KINGDOM, and grant us ability to DO good along THE WAY!!!

LWINSOR © 2017
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS