INTRODUCTION
In our crisis-stricken world—where hatred, hypocrisy, and selfishness often dominate human relationships—it is more necessary than ever to return to God’s teaching about what it truly means to do good.
Evil can disguise itself in generous gestures, visible works, or spectacular actions. But God, who looks at the heart, calls us to a pure, sincere, and fruitful goodness, rooted in love, truth, and divine will.
In this teaching, I invite you to rediscover the full biblical perspective on what it means to “do good”, how to practice it according to God’s standards, with the right intentions, and for an eternal purpose.
1. DOING GOOD: A DIVINE CALLING
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”(Micah 6:8)
From the very beginning of Scripture, God reveals what is good: justice, kindness, and humility. It’s not about following human rules, but reflecting the heart of God.
2. DOING GOOD IS LOVING
“You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbor as yourself.”(Matthew 22:37–39)
To do good means first to love God sincerely, then to manifest that love through concrete actions toward others.
It is a living, active faith:
“What matters is faith working through love.”(Galatians 5:6)
3. DOING GOOD THROUGH CONDUCT
“Learn to do good; seek justice, defend the oppressed…”(Isaiah 1:17)
God calls us to a morally upright life marked by:
Truth
Compassion
Fighting injustice
Rejecting corruption
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”(Romans 12:21)
4. DOING GOOD IN ADVERSITY
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”(Luke 6:27)
To do good in God’s eyes means responding to hate with love, forgiving, and praying for those who persecute us.
This is where true light shines.
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”(Luke 6:36)
5. DOING GOOD TO SERVE, NOT TO BE SEEN
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord…”(Proverbs 19:17)
“I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”(John 13:15)
Doing good is not about showing off or seeking control, but about serving with humility—just like Jesus, who washed His disciples’ feet.
6. THE INTENTIONS BEHIND GOODNESS: WHAT GOD SEES
“The Lord looks at the heart.”(1 Samuel 16:7)
✘ Examples of wrong intentions:
To be seen by others (Matthew 6:1)
To gain applause (Matthew 6:2)
To manipulate or gain favors
To ease one’s conscience without real inner transformation
“If I give all I possess to the poor… but do not have love, I gain nothing.”(1 Corinthians 13:3)
7. THE RIGHT INTENTION ACCORDING TO GOD
Doing good with:
Love for God
Sincerity of heart
Gratitude for received grace
A desire to glorify God
Humility, expecting nothing in return
8. THE PURPOSE OF DOING GOOD*
➤ To glorify God
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”(Matthew 5:16)
➤ To build up others
“Let no one seek his own good, but the good of others.”(1 Corinthians 10:24)
➤ To prepare for eternity
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”(Galatians 6:9)
“God ‘will repay each person according to what they have done.’ To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal life.”(Romans 2:6–7)
9. DOING GOOD BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
“The desire to do good is with me, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18)
“The fruit of the Spirit is… goodness, kindness…”(Galatians 5:22)
We do not have the strength to do good on our own. But in Christ and by the Holy Spirit, we bear lasting fruit.
CONCLUSION
Doing good is not just about doing a nice deed.
It is:
Living according to God’s will
Loving sincerely
Serving humbly
Sowing for eternity
Seeking God’s glory, not human praise
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”(Ephesians 2:10)
May the Lord give us a pure heart, active hands, and eyes fixed on eternity, so that our lives become channels through which His goodness flows into the world.
Apostle Dr. Jean-Claude SINDAYIGAYA