Britta Lafont

Britta Lafont

  • Home
  • Hi! I’m Britta
  • Read the Blog
  • Contact Me
  • My Books
  • Speaking

October 29, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Day 28 #CuratingtheGood — Do Good

Curating the Good· Slider Posts

Do Good

Do Good

Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others (1 Cor. 10:24, NLT).

Looking at various translations of 1 Cor 10:24, most of them read pretty much the same as the New Living Translation, above. But when I looked at the interlinear translation of this verse, it reads a little differently. The word “good” doesn’t actually appear in this verse, but I think the translators were trying to fill in the gaps and give us the understanding of the full meaning. Check it out:

Biblehub.com Interlinear Bible

The Greek word tò is an article, “the” or “that,” rather than the word “good” that we read in our English translations. Translating, word for word, would read more like this: Let no one seek his own, rather that of the other. The meaning is clear so, though the word “good” does not appear in the original Greek, the translation is accurate. This wording brings another passage to mind:

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit,
but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests,
but also to the interests of others.

Have this mind among yourselves,
which is yours in Christ Jesus, who,
though he was in the form of God,
did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,
being born in the likeness of men.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself by becoming
obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.

Phil 2:3-8, ESV

When we think of self-sacrifice, Jesus is totally the best example, for all of the above reasons . But when I look around for other examples, I can’t help but think about members of the military. Our volunteer force of brave men and women endure separation from family, physical hardships, danger, and some lose life in order to protect and defend our country, our flag, and our way of life.

We also owe a debt of gratitude to our first responders—Police Officers, Firefighters, EMS, and others. I remember telling my children about the attack on September 11. We looked at pictures of the burning buildings and I explained, “See, most of the people are running away from the attack, but the firefighters are running toward it.” I thank God that He has given some people the brave desire to run toward fires, explosions, and gunfire. Most of us would run in the other direction.

Heroes run toward fires, explosions, and gunfire.

Again, this brings us to Jesus. He moved toward the sinners, outsiders, and rejects. In a society that shunned outcasts, Jesus embraced them. He was willing to do good to them. He came to rescue us from sin and death, at the cost of His own dignity, comfort, and life.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13, ESV.

This month I’m wrestling with what it means to be good, to do good. And I’m realizing that I tend to want to do good for myself. I crave comfort, avoid conflict, and try to fly under the radar, taking no risks. This all sounds like the opposite of Jesus.

Running toward the conflict, embracing the outcasts, forsaking self to serve others…these are ways to do good. For me, doing this kind of good often falls outside my comfort zone. How about you? Let’s remember God still working in us. What rubs us the wrong way might be just the good He is calling us to do. If so, the blessing is that the Lord has already given us new hearts (Ez 36:26-27). He is more than able to accomplish change in us…with Him nothing is impossible (Eph 3:20; Luke 1:37; Matthew 19:26).

hugs flower signature

Image Copyright: niserin / 123RF Stock Photo

Share this:

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Print

Related

Don’t miss out!

Previous Post: « Day 27 #CuratingtheGood — Overcome
Next Post: Day 29 #CuratingtheGood — A Good Result »

Reader Interactions

Tell me what's on your heart: Cancel reply

Footer

Curate: collect and display evidence of God's goodness.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Want to come with?

In my typical social media introvert fashion, I re In my typical social media introvert fashion, I realize I didn’t share Gracie’s post on my feed at the time. 🤦🏻‍♀️
We are so thankful for this young man. ❤️ We are so thankful for this young man. ❤️
When the first day of school is also the day your When the first day of school is also the day your firstborn drives herself to college, it’s a lot. We moved her stuff into her dorm last week. Today she got up early to say goodbye to Dad (too early! Not pictured 😂), her brother, her doggo, her piano, and her momma. Before she left, she made blueberry scones to share with her little bro @sjoshlafont —they homeschool and relocated together, went to @westminsteroakmtn together, and have shared a love of music, Legos, superheroes (and villains), Transformers, and so much more. She played my favorite song. She even made banana bread to bring to her new roomie. @graciethenerd You are my little nut brown hare, and I love you to the moon and back. Auburn University is a better place because you are there! ❤️
Josh just started working in the bakery at Publix. Josh just started working in the bakery at Publix. Today he got his braces off. I just can’t believe it—where did the time go? @sjoshlafont
I’m a social media introvert mostly, but I’m r I’m a social media introvert mostly, but I’m reflecting today and feeling grateful for my sweet girl, my baby, my first-born. 🥰 She sure is a blessing to our family and her friends. Also, so grateful for the wonderful school where she spent the last four years—the perfect place to land after years of homeschooling on the move. “For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Ps 100:5) #curatingthegood #graduated🎓 #wisebeyondheryears @graciethenerd @lafonte04 @westminsteroakmtn
Best Thanksgiving that I can remember. I am so gra Best Thanksgiving that I can remember. I am so grateful for my people!! 🤗 ❤️@graciethenerd @thecardboardqueen @lafonte04 
#Psalm8 #highlandlakes #birminghamalabama
My friend @amy_young1234 is so generous! She has f My friend @amy_young1234 is so generous! She has found a way to share her birthday with friends all year long. This past week, I had to privilege to be her #FOTW You can read about her plan to celebrate her birthday by celebrating others in the link to her blog at the end of this post. That’s SO like Amy. 🤗 https://www.messymiddle.com/52-cards-52-weeks-52-years/ #curatingthegood
  • Got Enough?
  • You Need THIS
  • Got Joy?
  • You’re Called to THIS
  • Got Good?
  • You Were Made for THIS

Copyright © 2025 · beloved theme by Restored 316

 

Loading Comments...
 

    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.