“Sermons often boil down to the message, ‘Be good,’ yet rarely show you how to be good.”

Alan Watts

AUDIO PODCAST

Introduction (1 min)

• “Be good,” It’s a simple command but often feels like being asked to climb a mountain without a map.
• “Be good,” also symbolises walking in the goodness of God and the benefits available to Christians in Christ.
• Let’s explore how to “be good” by looking at salvation, identity, and the practical steps to bridge the gap between where we are and who we’re called to be.

Part 1: The Journey of Salvation (3 mins)

Salvation isn’t a one-time event—it’s a transformative journey in three stages:

1. Justification (Past):
   • We are made right with God by grace, through Christ.
   • This is the start—where we’re freed from sin’s penalty (2 Corinthians 5:17).
   • Think of it as the foundation: “Just-as-if I’d never sinned.“
2. Sanctification (Present):
   • The “how” of being good—a daily, ongoing process of aligning with God’s will.
   • It’s about growing spiritually, guided by God’s Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
   • Here, we wrestle between the spirit (our divine self) and the body (our earthly self).
3. Glorification (Future):
   • The final transformation when we’re fully united with God.
   • Our bodies will be glorified, free from sin, and restored to live as we were meant to (1 Corinthians 15:40–44).

Part 2: Rediscovering Identity (3 mins)

Who am I? This question has haunted humanity since Eden.

• The Fall and Identity Crisis:
  • In Eden, Adam and Eve lost their sense of self when they hid from God.
  • Today, we often define ourselves by our work, achievements, or roles—fig leaves covering a deeper longing.
• The Biblical Framework of Body, Soul, and Spirit:
  1. Body: Our earthly vessel, ruled by senses, often confused as our true identity.
  2. Soul: The seat of emotions and will, shaped by both the body and spirit.
  3. Spirit: The eternal part of us, regenerated in Christ, and our true essence.
• Practical Action:
  • Spirit: Cultivate connection with God through prayer and worship (John 15).
  • Soul: Renew your mind through Scripture (Romans 12:2).
  • Body: Dedicate your physical self to God (Romans 12:1).

Part 3: How to Be Good in Practice (2 mins)

Sanctification bridges the gap between justification and glorification. Here’s how to navigate this stage:

1. Daily Surrender:
   • Begin each day with prayer, inviting God to shape your actions and desires.
   • Sanctification begins with yielding to God’s will. This involves prayer, meditation on Scripture, and the conscious choice to let go of our desires in favour of His. As Paul writes, “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1). This is an active duty, not passive.
2. Renew your Mind:
   • Unlock new levels of performance with God’s word.
   • Internalise the Word of God as if installing a new program, unlocking the full potential of your New Creation identity.
3. Community and Accountability:
   • Surround yourself with people who encourage and challenge your growth.
   • The church becomes not just a gathering but a laboratory for sanctification where both theory and process are refined through practice.
4. Reflection and Repentance:
   • Regularly evaluate your heart, bringing areas of struggle to God for renewal.
   • Regular self-examination, akin to the principle of Kaizen—the Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement—helps us identify areas where we fall short and bring them before God. Sin, at its core, is a turning away from God, and for Christians, it manifests as a failure to spend time in His presence. Repentance, therefore, is not merely regret but a conscious decision to turn away from the neglect of God and to realign ourselves with Him, embracing a continual pursuit of His presence and guidance. This ongoing process reflects our commitment to spiritual growth and deeper intimacy with Christ.

• Example: The Hebrew word tzaddik (righteous) shows this process pictographically.
• Breadown: The Hebrew word tzaddik (צדיק), meaning “righteous one,” offers a profound pictographic insight. Breaking down the Hebrew letters reveals:
  • Tzade (צ): Often depicted as a hook, Tsade signifies humility and the readiness to be led, as well as the deliberate act of guiding the flesh to the altar of sacrifice. Beyond its literal associations with hunting or trapping, Tsade embodies the broader themes of pursuit and capture, reflecting the deeper spiritual concepts of striving, seeking, and intentional effort. It can also carry meanings such as “hunt,” “catch,” or “trap.”
  • Quf (ק): This word means “monkey” or “ape” in Hebrew. It refers to the animal commonly known for its primate / animalistic characteristics of genetic self-preservation. Qāf in Arabic meant “nape”—back of the neck—where the “yoke” is placed. What Christians must recognise is that the “quf” our flesh is an autonomous vehicle with its own agenda and appetites.
• Combined, these letters encapsulate the essence of righteousness: a life marked by the disciplined submission of the flesh, a spiritual practice that reflects our holiness. Holiness is defined as time set apart for time in His presence. This pictographic breakdown stands as a striking reminder of the sanctification process—a sacred journey of setting apart the flesh to His divine purposes. This is what is meant with Matthew 11:29,
  “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul”
  Instead of remaining stiff-necked, we subject the flesh to an activity it, by its very nature, cannot comprehend. The flesh designed for the earth is purely physical and isn’t equipped to perceive spiritual realities. Yet, just as the land, when exposed to the rain, flourishes in its seasons, so too does the brutish flesh when immersed in the presence of God. Neither the land nor the beast need understand the mystery to be enlivened by the rain from heaven; they need only be subjected to it. In the same way, we need not fully grasp the divine mystery of God’s presence but merely surrender ourselves to it. It is in so doing, in that eternal struggle of surrender, that we are transformed, made to flourish in ways beyond our understanding or ordinary ability.

Conclusion (1 min)

• To “be good” isn’t about achieving perfection but embracing the journey of accessing who we already are—the New Creation.
• As image-bearers of God, we’re called to reflect His goodness—not by our efforts but through His work in us.
• Remember: It’s not about what we do for God, but what He does in and through us.

Final Thought:
One day, in glorification, we’ll fully understand who we are—free from all brokenness, living in perfect harmony with God. Until then, the journey of sanctification is how we rediscover and reflect the divine image within us.