Rev. Foley's Podcast
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The 1st Work of Mercy: Doing Good
As regards when and how much and how often to give, you’ll notice that these things are not specified in the Nicene Creed. The Scripture gives us ample guidance in these matters, of course, and one recurring theme—which is especially important to note as we conclude this month’s emphasis, on the Work of Mercy of doing good—is that our giving should be planned and purposeful.
The Christian life is very physical. We are here because God creates a physical world in which his glory may be manifested, and he creates human beings in his image to manifest his glory. Through the sin of the first Adam, human beings abandon their vocation; through the victory over sin of the second Adam, human beings recover their vocation, in him.
God wants us to see that every time an enemy hurts us, he is present. Not only is he present, but we can trust him. We know that he loves us. He hasn't abandoned us.
In the world, no one does good for the specific purpose of benefiting one’s enemies. But benefiting one’s enemies—lavishly and intentionally—is the massive and immovable cornerstone of Jesus’ own program of doing good.
