multiply.
Famed philosopher and orator Edmund
Burke once said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for
good men to do nothing.” It’s true. Doing nothing is easy, but it’s
also dangerous. Where there is no opposition to evil, evil will
multiply.
We all fall into the trap of complaining
about the things that are wrong. But complaining does nothing except
discourage us even more. It changes nothing because there is no
positive power in it.
Imagine what a mess the world would be
if all God did was complain about everything that has gone wrong since
He created it. But the Father doesn’t complain. He continues to be good
and work for justice. Evil is powerful, but good is more powerful.
We need to stop and realize that God has chosen to work on this earth through His children—you and me.
It’s humbling to realize that He could
do so much more if we would be committed to love and do good at all
times. We need to remember Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5:16, “‘Let
your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and
glorify your Father in heaven’” (NKJV).
The more El Cid, the story of the man who united Spain and became a great hero using the principle I’m talking about.
For centuries the Christians had fought
the Moors. They hated and killed each other. In battle, El Cid captured
five Moors but refused to kill them because he realized that killing
had never done any good. He believed that showing mercy to his enemies
would change their hearts, and then both groups could live in peace.
Although he was initially labeled a traitor for his actions, they eventually proved to work, and he was honored as a hero.
One of the Moors he captured said,
“Anyone can kill, but only a true king can show mercy to his enemies.”
Because of El Cid’s one act of kindness, his enemies offered themselves
to him as friends and allies from that point on.
Jesus is a true king, and He is good, kind and merciful to all. Can we do any less than follow His example?
Right now, can you think of anyone to
whom you could show mercy? Is there someone who has treated you wrongly
that you can be good to? Being merciful and good, especially to your
enemies, may be one of the most powerful things you have ever done.
Imagine how different the world would be
if each one of us who claims to know Christ would do one kind thing for
someone else every day. The results would be astonishing. The world
would change rapidly because we really could overcome evil with good if
we all made a commitment to live the way Jesus tells us to live.
I have three friends with whom I
sometimes go to lunch or have coffee.We often talk about things God has
put on our hearts to do for others, or creative ideas for fresh ways to
be a blessing. I believe conversations like this are very pleasing to
God.
I would like to challenge you to take a lead role in the
“love revolution.” Enlist people you know and invite them to a planning
session on practical ways to meet needs. Find someone who needs help
and make a group effort to help them.
The idea of encouraging others to be
aggressive in doing good works is not new. Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let
us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.”
We should actually study and think about
how we can stir others to do good works and loving, helpful deeds. And
remember, doing the right thing will require forming new habits and
developing aggressive acts of love. The results will be wonderful!
Joyce Meyer is a New York Times best-selling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries. She has authored more than 90 books, including her new Living Beyond Your Feelings (Hachette). To read her past columns in Charisma, go to charismamag.com/meyer. Visit her online at joycemeyer.org.
