Posts Tagged: Malachi 3:16-17
“Listing the Good Things I’ve Done”
One of my most encouraging friends made a wonderful suggestion. Knowing my tendency to notice my failings, but not what I get right, my friend asked if I ever made a list of good things that I’ve done at the end of the day.
The short answer was, “No.”
However, thanks to Gary’s question, the answer is now, Yes!” But man, is it ever hard! I’m pretty good at remembering my wrong-doings, both the small and the great. My good deeds? Not so much.
Of course, if a body is already pretty full of himself or herself, making a list of daily deeds might not be the best idea. There are those who remember only their accomplishments—even their imaginary accomplishments.
Ultimately, as a Christ-follower, I believe that my lists are not the most important lists. The most important lists are the ones God keeps. There are Scriptures that speak of God keeping a list of the good things we do. Some lists are specifically designated as written down. In some cases, the lists are implied lists.
Malachi 3:16-17 is a good example of a list of good things.
“Mal. 3:16 ¶ Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name.
Mal. 3:17 “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.”
Apparently, fearing the LORD and speaking about him to other believers catches God’s attention.
Jesus listed a number of positive good deeds that would be mentioned on judgment day in Matthew 25:31-40. These deeds included caring for the hungry and thirsty, hospitality, clothing the naked, and visiting those who are sick or in prison. Jesus not only notices, but also considers these good deeds to have been done for him.
Of course, the idea that God keeps records of our deeds is not altogether comforting, is it? What about our bad deeds? Yes, according to Romans 2:6, in the supernatural course of things, God will repay each person according to his/her deeds.
But then there are other Scriptures that point out a wonderfully surprising—even shocking—truth. Here is one of these shockers:
“Psa. 130:3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.”
According to this verse, God doesn’t keep a record of our sins. He leaves that up to our fellow sinners. However, for the unwisdom of us keeping a record of the wrong-doings of others, see 1 Corinthians 13:5.
DOWN TO EARTH BELIEVER
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- “Delighting in Being Told What to Do?!?” February 23, 2024“Psa. 112:1 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! 2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures […]
- “Character is the Real Lesson” January 19, 2024I am often confused about what lesson I’m really supposed to be learning. For example, this morning I was trying to knock out several Spanish lessons. My intentions were a lot better than my internet connection. I’ve done three lessons. Or rather, I’ve done two lessons. One of them I did twice because the internet […]
- “The Year of Becoming Un-Planked” January 1, 2024Each year, I try to come up with one word or a short phrase for what I intend to work on in the upcoming year. 2024 is “The Year of Becoming Un-Planked”. What?!! What does that even mean? So glad that you asked! Jesus said to his disciples, “Why do you look at the speck […]
- “Searching for the Noble One” December 26, 2023My wife and I were reading Luke, chapter 2 on Christmas Day. Luke 2 talks about the shepherds being told to look for this very special child—in fact, this King—in a stable. I prefer the word “barn”. I grew up on a farm. I know what a barn is. A stable is entirely too biblical […]
- “That Don’t Impress God Much” December 14, 2023DTEB, “That Don’t Impress God Much” “That Don’t Impress Me Much” (Song by Robert John Lange and Shania Twain) Micah 6:8 (MSG) “But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be […]
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