The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
April 14, 2002
In
This Issue:
Looking
for Good
By
Steve Klein
Looking for Good
Anyone can criticize, find fault or uncover wrongdoing. Campaign advertisements from political elections are a testament to this fact. It is easy to fall into a habit of looking for and finding only the bad -- in spouses, co-workers, children, friends and our enemies. For some it takes great effort to see things that are praise-worthy.
Jesus plainly instructed us to "judge not, that you be not judged" (Matthew 7:1). The hypercritical person places himself in the position of having to live up to the same standard he imposes on others. "For with what judgment you judge you will be judged" (Matthew 7:2a). This person stands self-condemned when he himself falls short of the standard by which he judges others (Romans 2:1;14:23).
Jesus is the only Person to ever completely live up to God's standard (Hebrews 4:15). It is interesting the only Man to ever live without sin said, "I did not come to judge the world but to save the world" (John 12:47). Jesus was certainly aware of the shortcomings of those who came to him --sinful people desiring healing or forgiveness or instruction. He never pretended that their sin didn't exist or that sin wasn't a problem. He occasionally criticized people and often exposed their sins (cf. Matthew 23). But He didn't come to judge. He saw the good in people. He frequently praised those who displayed honesty, humility, faith, repentance or thankfulness (cf. John 1:47; Luke 7:9; 17:15-19; 18:14, 42).
Christians ought to be like Jesus in this way. We should notice the good that is around us. We should think about "whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report" as well as anything virtuous or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). It is sad but no doubt true that some Christians cannot remember the last time they praised anybody for anything. Yet, praiseworthy things occur among God's people every day.
Having said this, we should be warned that the principle of "seeking the good" can be perverted. Some folks apparently believe that they can find enough good in everything and everyone to warrant engaging in questionable activities or relationships. They feel they must rub up against the filth of the world in order to see the good in everything. They have not exercised their senses to readily discern between good and evil (Hebrews 5:14b). For instance, we're told that movies with "PG" and even "R" ratings can be viewed indiscriminately because "there must be something good in them." Similar-ly, some feel compelled to have close relationships with very evil people because "there must be something good in them." To paraphrase an old country song, this is just "looking for good in all the wrong places." "Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits" (I Corinthians 15:33).
Paul warned Timothy "not to share in other people's sins" but to keep himself "pure" (I Timothy 5:22). There were just some activi-ties that Timothy could not engage in with some people. Which activities? Which people? Did Timothy have to become judgmental or hypercritical to figure it out? NOT AT ALL! Paul told him, "some men's sins are clearly evident." (I Timothy 5:24). You don't have to be Solomon or even Judge Judy to figure out that a movie containing enough illicit sex, foul language or violence to be rated "R" by a godless Hollywood motion picture board is evil on the face of it. Oh, it may contain some good material, just like a garbage can may contain something good to eat. But, why dig in it?
Let us always remember to seek the good. But while we're doing that, let us not forget to avoid the evil.
by Steve Klein