Believe in Goodness

I just finished another historical fiction book entitled Children of the Stars by Mario Escobar. The story begins in 1941 in France. Two young boys who are twelve and eight, are left with their aunt while their parents leave to look for a safe haven for their family. When their aunt is killed during a massive roundup of Jews, the boys set off on their own in search of their parents.

Along the way, they encounter people who willingly risk their lives for them by feeding and sheltering them as well as helping them across the French border into Spain where they board a ship for Buenos Aires. 

Toward the end of their journey the older boy, Jacob, reflects on all those who have helped him and his brother and makes this statement, “The impact of one good deed was infinitely more powerful than evil.”

That statement caused me to pause and consider the truth behind those words. Even in the midst of the atrocities of WW II, good was not overcome with evil. There were people who did not allow evil to set the standard of living for them. Instead, they chose moral behavior.

Everyone is made in the image of God and even without faith in God, we reflect the echoes of our creator and his goodness.  

For those who put their faith in God and believe that Jesus’ death and resurrection gives us a new heart we overcome evil not by adhering to a moral standard, but rather by trusting in the indwelling life of Christ. Then, goodness becomes our natural behavior.

I’m not saying believers never get snarky, rude or thoughtless because I know from experience that sometimes I get snarky, rude and thoughtless. But the Holy Spirit is faithful at gently reminding me to think and act as though my life in Christ has made me different because it has.  

Why Bother?

Why bother wanting to believe in goodness? Goodness will always overcome evil because evil has already lost. 

P.S.  I wrote the story of my journey to forgiveness for those who need clarity when it comes to understanding forgiveness. You can find A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness at Redemption Press and Amazon.