Is. 1:17 Learn to do good
Being good is not natural. The way of goodness is not my inclination. Once we perhaps were all good. But upon the Fall, our best goodness was not good enough. Sin is now my long constant companion. I can feel its weight and know its face. As I drift away from Christ in the busyness of my days, its face becomes clearer. But we can learn to do good. It is a conscious act. We can make good things happen. Yes - they may remain tainted with sin and bear the dirt marks of pride. But the paint-by-numbers art is still cherished by the Father.
Being in the image of God carries with it a desire for justice. To see justice, rebuke the oppressor - defend the fatherless and plead for the widow. Is that how we learn? God grant me the your eyes to see injustice and the courage to confront it. God grant me the heart to drive out sin and cleanse my spirit. God teach me and let me learn.
I can't find any encouragement in my goodness. Like you say, everything is tainted. I don't know if I have ever done anything from a pure motive in my life. My encouragement is this. I have as a gift the Holy Spirit, God's own uncorrupted nature, as a resource within me. It's like a treasure in a clay pot.
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