A child of God should be ⁸… wise, fair, reverent. Christians are attracted by good things. But even more, they go after worthy things with everything in them. It works like a magnet. Things that are well-meaning attract them.

The obvious presumption is that bad things push them away. Bad things disgust them and make them run away from it. Children of God strongly oppose the bad things in life.

Or do we?

Do we oppose all the injustice done to people? Are we prepared to stop and help others who are being treated unfairly?

I saw a CCTV video on Facebook of a woman calmly walking down a sidewalk in Muizenberg. A car stops next to her. One guy grabs her bag. The other one tries to take her cell phone. There’s a struggle. Eventually the man has the phone, jumps into the car and they drive away. Shocked and discouraged she sits down on the edge of the pavement.

What was even worse to me was one after the other car driving by … not one of them affected enough by this injustice to simply stop and help. Too busy being on their way to give assistance …

Somewhere we will have to make an effort and bring the good things back to the top of the line in life. Somewhere we will have to get up and pursue the right things, so that the world can follow us and see how one does the good things.

Here the Greek word philagathos is translated as promoter of virtue. We must be promoters of good things. The dictionary defines a promoter as someone doing everything possible to make a success of people or an event or a business. Such a person uses all his or her energy to ensure there are no setbacks. Success is written over everything.

And that is what each of us must do. We have to be the promoters of good things. We must use all our energy to ensure that the people around us are exposed to the good things. If we don’t do it, where then will they see it? Because out in the world it looks very different.

When we love things that are worthy, when we go after the good things in life and do it, the people around us will also start wanting to do it.

Let’s take hands and strive to do the right thing. Together we can make a difference. Really!

The people here in our neighbourhood have started working together. A group was created where everybody can have good chats. If a potential crook should dare to enter our street, the people are buzzing on the group. And within seconds, the security company is on the scene.

Crime has certainly decreased. Why? Because everybody is working together. Everybody is participating as promoters of safety.

In the same way, you and I need to be promoters of the good things. If we all do it, the world will surely be a better place.

Scripture
Titus 1:5-9

Reflection
Where do you have to start with good things?
How can you do it?
For whom?

Prayer
Lord, please help me not to focus on myself so much that I miss the need around me. Please help me see opportunities to do good and to have the courage and strength to get out of my comfort zone to stand up for what is right. Amen.