Good Vs. Holiness
In the past two weeks I have been told that I am a good man. This is a nice sentiment but is this true. I always respond I try. Why not just say, "Thank you," because the truth of the matter is this, I am not good nor will I ever be "good." You must be thinking but wait, "You go to Church and try to do that whole practicing Christian/Catholic thing. How could you be anything but good?" The only being that is truly good is God. I may at time reflect that image but all it is and ever will be is an image. In the Gospel it is clear when the rich man asks Jesus, "Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?" The first response of Jesus is this, "Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good." The only One good is God. That is not to say I cannot do good acts. Being truly good is reserve than for God alone and all we do is share in his goodness by doing his well and performing good acts.
Yet is it enough to do good acts? Is it enough to try and be good? The truth is no matter the number of good acts that I perform in life if it is not done in conjunction with a spiritual grow it means nothing in the end. Good acts will not help me enter the kingdom of heaven. It is never enough to try and be good, non-believers can perform good acts. It is more important to be holy. How does one become holy if not through good acts? One becomes holy when he/she submits his/her will to God. That they hand over their life to the guidance of God. Of course in trying to do this God's will we do plenty of good acts, but not that alone, there is also much prayer. Pray without ceasing is what it takes to become holy. That every moment, every action that we perform be for the glory and praise of God thus making our life a living prayer. Is this easy? Of course not there are battles fought ever day with the evils in our life, conversion does not take place over night but is a daily experience that will help us draw closer to He who knew us before the beginning of time. It is sad to think so many people are happy with simply doing good things and don't go the extra mile in trying to become holy, a living saint if you will.
My life will never be content with being just good or being holy enough. I will continue to strive to not only bring myself closer to God but for every person that I encounter. Life is too short to hold off on trying to become holy. Remember what Jesus tells us in the Gospels, "You must become perfect as I am perfect." Impossible of course, can it be a goal we set in our lives, always working toward it, yes. So my friends out there who read this sermon on the computer, don't settle at being good when you can be much more.
~Its Lent so I get in this preaching mood, more for myself, to remind me than for anyone else but hey if it helps you than great. Peace.
Yet is it enough to do good acts? Is it enough to try and be good? The truth is no matter the number of good acts that I perform in life if it is not done in conjunction with a spiritual grow it means nothing in the end. Good acts will not help me enter the kingdom of heaven. It is never enough to try and be good, non-believers can perform good acts. It is more important to be holy. How does one become holy if not through good acts? One becomes holy when he/she submits his/her will to God. That they hand over their life to the guidance of God. Of course in trying to do this God's will we do plenty of good acts, but not that alone, there is also much prayer. Pray without ceasing is what it takes to become holy. That every moment, every action that we perform be for the glory and praise of God thus making our life a living prayer. Is this easy? Of course not there are battles fought ever day with the evils in our life, conversion does not take place over night but is a daily experience that will help us draw closer to He who knew us before the beginning of time. It is sad to think so many people are happy with simply doing good things and don't go the extra mile in trying to become holy, a living saint if you will.
My life will never be content with being just good or being holy enough. I will continue to strive to not only bring myself closer to God but for every person that I encounter. Life is too short to hold off on trying to become holy. Remember what Jesus tells us in the Gospels, "You must become perfect as I am perfect." Impossible of course, can it be a goal we set in our lives, always working toward it, yes. So my friends out there who read this sermon on the computer, don't settle at being good when you can be much more.
~Its Lent so I get in this preaching mood, more for myself, to remind me than for anyone else but hey if it helps you than great. Peace.