The Good

Decision making can be hard and regretful, like not showing mercy in a situation where it was needed. Or decisions can be easy yet regretful, like getting a drunken tattoo of a unicorn on your cheek. Although only one situation has an obvious moral outcome, they both should be given the time to process and a means to the decision should be sought. There are plenty of regrettable decisions I have made which were not thought out and produced destructive outcomes. At the time the outcome did benefit someone, that someone being me. My life was made better at the cost of others. Through my walk with Jesus, I have matured in my decision making as one should. I desire the betterment of other people and want to put others before me. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 has Paul praying for the Thessalonian church that is becoming a sparkle in his eye. “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.” Paul knew the significance for good decision making and earnestly sought God to help them in making good decisions. In order to benefit others more I ought to seek this for myself.

What is a good decision? The good decision is always there no matter how you face a circumstance. It is something I feel that we strive for yet fall short of when we don’t always mean to. We know the option to choose it is there and yet we still may not choose it. Potential is robbed by turning from it. It is something that creates a subjective benefit that comes from an objective origin. The origin being the Law of Nature summarised by C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity. “These, then, are the two points I wanted to make. First, that human beings, all over the earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and cannot really get rid of it. Secondly, that they do not in fact behave in that way. They know the law of Nature; they break it. These two facts are the foundation of all clear thinking about ourselves and the universe we live in.” If we were to behave in that way, then there would not have been any need for Mr. Lewis’s book as the world would be devoid of bad choices. Our world would be a better place, we are human though and as a collective do not seek this goal, or go the wrong way about it Do we grow tired of doing good or has our centre become so attuned to serving self? If this is the case then we need to start dying to self daily, giving up what is best for us and serving those around us. Holding back snide comments behind people’s back and speaking life giving compliments to their face. John Calvin describes this method, “We are merely stewards of whatever gifts God has given to us in order to help our neighbours. We must submit concern for our own well-being to the good of others.” I encourage you in your sphere of influence to choose the good in situations and try to create life. Do so in a way that is not self-righteous for this only garners pride. Instead show love and mercy, which is associated with surpassing righteousness. The righteousness attributed to Jesus in his dealings, the law of nature fulfilled.

I know personally that I do not always choose the good decision when I know it is there. In writing this it is a challenge for myself to become more the person that builds others up and less of the person that puts me above them. Can you imagine a world like that, governments that actually strove for the utmost quality of life for all people? If the Taliban swooped in like they did because they were eager to improve on what was already in place for the improvement of everyone. If all those with influence would all make positive ethical change, and there are a multitude of other possible examples. This is a reality I hope most would want yet life creates many distractions and peeves. I am only human but I will keep trying to behave for betterment.

“As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.”

2 Thessalonians 3:13