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If man wants goodness, he needs to know and understand what plan God has for his welfare.
MAN IS IN CONSTANT search of what can make his life better. Computers, mobile phones, the Internet, online transactions, fast transport, fast foods are but some of the things that man invented and innovated to make his life convenient and worry-free. He works hard so as to avail himself of the various comforts and luxuries offered by modern living and to attain what are considered as the good and finer things in life that would grant him peace and contentment. However, despite his well-meaning efforts, still man has been unsuccessful in improving his life here on earth. The Bible explains why:
“Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace. So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.” (Isa. 59:7-9 New International Version)
Every day, we learn from newspapers, television, radio, and the social media about the rise in criminality and lawlessness. Violence and acts of terrorism that claim innocent lives are happening in many places. Technological advances which are supposedly aimed at making life better have also been detrimental to man’s life. Hi-tech crime is on the rise and the degradation of man’s spirituality is obvious. Even if people want peace and prosperity, man could only say of his state in this world: “We look for light, but all is darkness.”
The Bible describes the frailty of man’s life in this world, which he cannot make better on his own:
“Can anyone be righteous in the sight of God or be pure before his Creator? God does not trust his heavenly servants; he finds fault even with his angels. Do you think he will trust a creature of clay, a thing of dust that can be crushed like a moth? We may be alive in the morning, but die unnoticed before evening comes. All that we have is taken away; we die, still lacking wisdom.” (Job 4:17–21 Good News Bible)
Man’s life is so frail that it is likened to that of a moth. His life is so fragile and vulnerable that he may be alive this moment, but dead a little while later. He also cannot rely on what he has attained in this life for his capabilities are limited and these impede him from the guarantee of a better life. A great number of people today cannot even meet their basic needs, as they are not properly nourished, clothed, and housed. Economies fall due to political instability, natural disasters, and wars causing many to be displaced and countless properties and lives destroyed.
But does this mean that there is no hope left for man? Who alone should man acknowledge as the One who can do him good? “The Lord says, … ‘I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for’” (Jer. 29:10–11 gnb).
If there is anyone who knows what is good for man, it is none other than God—He alone knows what is best for man. Hence, if he wants goodness, he needs to know and understand what plan God has for his welfare.
Ever since the beginning, God already has a plan for man:
“And he has showered down upon us the richness of his grace—for how well he understands us and knows what is best for us at all times. God has told us his secret reason for sending Christ, a plan he decided on in mercy long ago; and this was his purpose: that when the time is ripe he will gather us all together from wherever we are—in heaven or on earth—to be with him in Christ forever.” (Eph. 1:8–10 Living Bible)
God’s plan for man from the beginning or before the creation of all things is for all to be gathered together in Christ. This plan is realized in man by becoming part of the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23), which is the Church headed by Him (Col. 1:18). Apostle Paul further explained:
“We have many parts in the one body, and all these parts have different functions. In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in union with Christ, and we are all joined to each other as different parts of one body.” (Rom. 12:4–5 gnb)
Thus, if man wants to do what is really good for his life, he must become a member of the Church headed by Christ as God has planned.
One may probably ask: “How can the Church be for the good of man, when chaos, evil, and hardship continue?” Why is the Church for the betterment of man? Apostle Paul explains, thus:
“May he be given glory forever and ever through endless ages because of his master plan of salvation for the church through Jesus Christ.” (Eph. 3:21 lb)
The salvation that God planned is for the Church. Surely, there is nothing in this world that can be considered greater than salvation. Even Christ testifies:
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36 New King James Version)
Nothing in this life is as important as the salvation of the soul of man. Hence, joining the true Church is the way to the attainment of the ultimate well-being of man.
“Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will … In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Eph. 1:5, 7 nkjv)
“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” (Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation)
Because of the redemptive act of our Lord Jesus Christ for the Church Of Christ, what else are in store for its members?
“Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:12–14 niv)
The Church Of Christ is indeed for the good of man, for a great blessing is reserved for those who are redeemed and forgiven of their sins—they will inherit the kingdom of light. This kingdom is none other than the Holy City where only goodness awaits the redeemed:
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth disappeared, and the sea vanished. And I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared and ready, like a bride dressed to meet her husband. I heard a loud voice speaking from the throne: ‘Now God’s home is with people! He will live with them, and they shall be his people. God himself will be with them, and he will be their God. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared’.” (Rev. 21:1-4 gnb)
In the Holy City, there will be no more crying, sorrow, pain, and anguish, and above all, there will be no more death. So even if man fails to better his life in this world, still, he can receive true goodness from God that can only be found in the true Church. As God planned it to be, man can attain the full benefits of His blessings by joining the Church Of Christ. To refuse to join the Church means to deny one’s self of the good God has planned for man.
The Lord God and His Son, Jesus Christ, have done their share in the master plan of giving man what is best for him—the salvation of his soul. It is high time that man does his part by becoming a member of the Church Of Christ.
