Why do good? Pt. 2
Becoming "instruments for righteousness"
Last week, I shared some of my thoughts regarding the question of why Christians “do good.” I was inspired by an erroneous claim that I’ve come across often, which asserts that Christians only act right because they seek reward and/or fear punishment.
Now that we’ve discussed why the punishment/reward paradigm doesn’t apply to believers, I wanted to answer the question from a different perspective. Unsurprisingly, this week lands us right back in the book of Romans. But first…
Distinguishing “good”
As I’ve wrestled with this question, particularly over the last couple of weeks, I’ve struggled to really define what it even means to “do good,” especially in the context of a complex world. After all, you don’t actually have to be a believer in Christ to do a good deed—atheists, agnostics, and adherents of other world religions act charitably every day.
What’s the difference between their behavior and ours? As I read through Romans again, it dawned on me—we’re not simply talking about performing morally permissible acts, but walking in God’s will for humanity.
What is God’s will for humanity? In a way, that’s the story of the entire Bible—but I don’t want to be too vague here. To put it simply, it’s that each individual person would live in unity with him. This entails the process of justification and reconciliation that we discussed last week, but it doesn’t stop there.
The next step? Sanctification, or the continual process happening (right now!) in the lives of all believers by which we are transformed and made holy.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to align with God’s precepts, becoming his agents as we act to bring his kingdom to Earth. Specifically, that means being “doers of the Word,” to borrow from James 1:22. These kingdom activities are what I’m referring to when I talk about “doing good,” and they undergird every aspect of a believer’s life.
“Instruments for righteousness”
In Romans 6, Paul continues to define the machinations of grace.
“Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” he asks. “By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”1
He continues by paralleling Christ’s literal death and resurrection with the believer’s figurative one: “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.”2
Yet again, Christ’s sacrifice is the key: It is the very thing that enables us to set aside sin and act righteously.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 6:12-14
Notice the directive in the above verses and the tension that Paul describes. Sin doesn’t have dominion—yet we are still explicitly told not to “present your members to sin.”
This is where sanctification comes in. Through the cross, my sins were fully forgiven and my status was changed from “enemy” to “daughter.” But that doesn’t mean my struggles with sin are over. It’s still necessary for Paul, here and in other letters to early Christians, to get specific about what it looks like to live a righteous life.
So, what now?
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2
After describing the mechanics of justification (chapters 1-8) and explaining how this applies to Jew and Gentile alike (chapters 9-11), Paul launches into several chapters filled with clear directives regarding the lifestyle that Christians are to uphold.
Consider this excerpt, from chapter 12:
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Romans 12:9–18
This is one of many similar lists of directives that Paul gives throughout his letters, but it does a good job of summarizing the key element of the Christian ethic: self-sacrificing, ego-breaking, Christlike love.
So, why do good?
Based on what we’ve discussed, I offer 5 reasons:
Because we can. Alongside the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to fulfill the duties and obligations listed above and so much more.
Because Christ did first. As the archetypal human—the only one to do this thing perfectly—he is the standard we seek to live by.
Because we’re grateful. Obedience is a natural outflow of worship, love, and gratitude.
Because others are more important than I. It’s not about what I can get, but who I can share God’s love with.
Because it brings the kingdom to earth. In Luke 17:21 Jesus told the Pharisees that “the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” As Christians, we are the ambassadors of that kingdom, so it is our responsibility to teach others—fellow believers and nonbelievers alike—what that looks like.
Fellow believer: you have the power of the Holy Spirit to walk in God’s perfect will today. Make the most of it.
A recommendation:
This video popped up on my YouTube recommendations earlier this week, and I had to share. It’s a great terminology crash course, and a fun example of just how much there is to explore in the discipline of theology.
Also, I really think you should read Romans again if you haven’t in awhile. Don’t worry about understanding every part perfectly—simply grab your Bible and a notebook and prayerfully soak it all in. I really think it’ll be worth it.
Romans 6:1-2. I’m using the English Standard Version for all scripture references.
Romans 6:6