Destiny Is Based on Good vs. Bad

No Partiality at the Wedding for the Kingdom

And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.” ’ But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.

Goodness Makes No Difference for Refusers Rejecting God’s Kingdom

Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

Those Unqualified Were Not Just Exposed but Also Speechless

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Imitators Will Be Judged

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matthew 22:1‭-‬14 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.22.1-14.NKJV

Good as Evil Falsely Thought

A Lesson on Sovereignty

Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

Matthew 20:15‭-‬16 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.20.15-16.NKJV

This story reveals how easy it is to think evil of even generous Lords.

Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (vs. The Generous Landowner)

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

The Third Hour Workers

And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went.

The Sixth, Ninth, Eleventh Hour Workers

Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’

The Payment Hour

“So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius.

The Dishonest Entitlement Mentality

And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong.

Keeping Commitments and the Value of Work

Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.

Wealth’s Immense Power and the Difference Between “Called” and “Chosen”

Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”
Matthew 20:1‭-‬16 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.20.1-16.NKJV

The Chosen are those demonstrating Character over Convenience!

What is True Goodness?

Goodness Is Not Being Called Good

Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

Goodness Is First “Obedience!”

So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

Unconditional Obedience to “Men” – Our Humankind

He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

Goodness Is a Hatred for the “Love of Money”

The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Goodness Is Acknowledging Our Poverty of Spirit

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Goodness Acknowledges the Super-Powerfulness of God

When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying,

“Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:16‭-‬26 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.19.16-26.NKJV

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From Psalm 65

Goodness Is Being Fully Satisfied

With the Blessings of His Temple (The Church)

Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.

With the Answers God Gives to Prayer

By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, And of the far-off seas;

With Awe of God’s Loyal Annual Blessings!

Who established the mountains by His strength, Being clothed with power; You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance.
Psalms 65:4‭-‬6‭, ‬11 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.65.4-11.NKJV

With Awe of God’s Earthly Creation

By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth,

The Lands and Seas

And of the far-off seas; Who established the mountains by His strength, Being clothed with power; You who still the noise of the seas, The noise of their waves,

The Awesomeness of Sovereign Rule

And the tumult of the peoples. They also who dwell in the farthest parts are afraid of Your signs;

The Faithfulness of Newness Daily

You make the outgoings of the morning and evening rejoice.

Water

You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; The river of God is full of water;

For Amber Waves of Grain and Crops

You provide their grain, For so You have prepared it. You water its ridges abundantly, You settle its furrows; You make it soft with showers, You bless its growth. You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance. They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, And the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; The valleys also are covered with grain;

Conclusion With Goodness Is Joy-Songs

They shout for joy, they also sing.
Psalms 65:5‭-‬13 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.65.5-13.NKJV

The Essence of Good Cheer

 

Christ’s Healing Purpose is to Cheer the Soul!

So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘ Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” —then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” And he arose and departed to his house.

Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

 

And Women as Well as Men

And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.
Matthew 9:1‭-‬8‭, ‬20‭-‬22 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.9.1-22.NKJV

Good as a Measure

Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.” And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.
Matthew 8:30‭-‬32 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.8.30-32.NKJV

How to Give Good Gifts

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:7‭-‬12 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.7.7-12.NKJV

Good Is A Discernment Skill that is Self-Exposing

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Matthew 7:15‭-‬20 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.7.15-20.NKJV

Doing Good Works – Motivations Good and Bad

Good for Testimony’s Sake

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

Good for the Glorification of the Father

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Good – For My Enemies’ Sake

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

Impartiality Essential & Demonstrably Christian mimicking the Father Himself

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Good – As Making Me Mature and “Father – Like”

For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Yes motivation separates absolute good from absolute evil!

Matthew 5:13‭-‬16‭, ‬43‭-‬48 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.5.13-48.NKJV

Conditions for Keeping Good Land of a Good God

Joshua was an exceptional leader serving with nobility, humility and courage. But no leader on earth lives forever. And no stewardship is absent it’s responsibilities.

Now it came to pass, a long time after the Lord had given rest to Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua was old, advanced in age. And Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers, and said to them:

Make preparations for aging in leadership.

“I am old, advanced in age. You have seen all that the Lord your God has done to all these nations because of you, for the Lord your God is He who has fought for you.

Acknowledge their deeds Appreciatively.

See, I have divided to you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from the Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, as far as the Great Sea westward. And the Lord your God will expel them from before you and drive them out of your sight. So you shall possess their land, as the Lord your God promised you.

Acknowledge Your Need of Courageous Loyalty to Laws.

Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you.

No Idolatry.

You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them, but you shall hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day. For the Lord has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day. One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you.

Forbid Marriage with Evil of National Origins.

Therefore take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the Lord your God. Or else, if indeed you do go back, and cling to the remnant of these nations—these that remain among you—and make marriages with them, and go in to them and they to you, know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations from before you.

Recognize the Permanence of Evil.

But they shall be snares and traps to you, and scourges on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land which the Lord your God has given you. “Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth.

Recount the Faithfulness of Goodness!

And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed. Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all the good things have come upon you which the Lord your God promised you, so the Lord will bring upon you all harmful things, until He has destroyed you from this good land which the Lord your God has given you. When you have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed down to them, then the anger of the Lord will burn against you, and you shall perish quickly from the good land which He has given you.”
Joshua 23:1‭-‬16 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/jos.23.1-16.NKJV

Making Good on His Promise of GOOD

What God Promises to Do is Done

So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it.

It Requires Obedience and Patience

The Lord gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers.

The Result is Peace When Complete

And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand.

No Omissions – Complete Fulfillment!

Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.
Joshua 21:43‭-‬45 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/jos.21.43-45.NKJV

We are to note here that the Israelite nation never drove out all the nations that they were commanded to, and it became a thornish trip that ended in national failure ultimately. But not because God was not faithful.

It will be true for America as well by inference and by direct application. America’s promised land vision of our Forefathers is yet for our full accomplishment!

May we be faithful like our God is faithful to bring it to pass!

Courage For Acting With Mercy

Gibeonites Should Have Perished

According to Joshua 10:12 and Joshua 11:19, the pre-conquest inhabitants of Gibeon, the Gibeonites, were Hivites; according to 2 Samuel 21:2 they were Amorites.

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The Amorites were to perish for their sinful perversions!

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Their Deception Was Satanic

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But this act in itself showed a muted repentance of nature would be repulsive to their neighbors. Defending them would become necessary they obviously felt.

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God was to honor the Israel vow to protect them. Joshua Called it “GOOD Courage!”

Then Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”

5 Kingdoms Perished Because of Goodness of the Righteousness of God and His Just Judgment.

And afterward Joshua struck them and killed them, and hanged them on five trees; and they were hanging on the trees until evening. So it was at the time of the going down of the sun that Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees, cast them into the cave where they had been hidden, and laid large stones against the cave’s mouth, which remain until this very day.
Joshua 10:25‭-‬27 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/jos.10.25-27.NKJV