Growing In Goodwill (Communion Sunday)

Image of Rev. Kit Billings
Rev. Kit B. Billings
Date:
09/26/2021
Location:
LaPorte New Church Swedenborgian
Scripture:
Jeremiah 29:1-7 | Luke 14:12-24

This is goodwill itself because it can be defined as follows: goodwill is doing good to our neighbor daily and constantly—not only to our neighbor as an individual but also to our neighbor collectively. The only way to do this is through practicing goodness and justice in our position and work and with the people with whom we have any interaction because these are things we do every day. When we are not doing them, they still stay in our minds all the time; we think about them and intend to do them.

People who practice goodwill in this way become better and better forms of goodwill. Justice and faithfulness shape their minds and the practice of goodwill shapes their bodies. Over time, because of their form, they get to the point where everything they want and think about relates to goodwill.

In the long run, they become like the people mentioned in the Word who have the law written on their hearts [Jeremiah 31:33]. Such people also take no credit for what they are doing since they are not thinking about receiving credit for it; they are thinking about their duty. In their view, acting this way is the right thing for citizens to do.

Read More Sermons

You May Also Like

Mercy

Insights for Worship Heaven and Hell n. 522 “First, though, let me state what divine mercy is. Divine mercy is a pure mercy toward the

Read More »