Only Good Thoughts, Always (Luke 2:14; Philippians 2:15-17 )

LUKE 2:14, "...and on earth, peace, good will toward men".

CHRISTMAS

Every Christmas season, whether in a sermon; play production; Christmas card; or a festive song, the account of the angels herald, of the birth or the Savior, to the shepherds; and the world, is announced afresh.

GOOD WILL

The two words, "good will", are only one word in the Greek, and as is common, express much more than the English rendering.

GOOD THOUGHTS

"Good will" is (eudokia), 2107,[Strong's], in the Greek, and a compound formed from (eu), 2095, "good", or "well" and (dokeo), "to think", or, "thoughts". The idea is, "to think good", or to have, "good thoughts" towards someone.

SEEMED GOOD

The word is used by Jesus, describing the wisdom of His Father, in revealing truth to His disciples, hiding it from the wise and prudent, and revealing it to babes, because it "seemed good" to Him (Matt.11:26; Lk.10:21), or He "thought it was good" to do things that way.

It is used 10 times in the OT and 9 times in the NT, and repeatedly translated differently, even being rendered 5 different ways in the 9 different NT occurrences.

LEGAL DOCUMENTS

In classical literature, it was used in legal documents describing someone's consent toward the contractual arrangement that had been made, whether in purchasing items, or a legal work contract. The idea was, that the two parties were in agreement with the terms, or resolutions set forward, in the legal transaction. In other words, they were favorable, toward what was agreed upon.

THIINKING GOOD

In the NT, the prevailing meaning is founded in the literal understanding of "thinking good", or having "good thoughts", toward someone, Since a person is constantly "thinking good" toward someone, then their actions are favorable towards them, or everything they do, towards them, is an expression of the "good", that they are constantly thinking about them.

PREACHING CHRIST

In Philippians 2:15-17, some were preaching Christ, out of envy and strife, thinking to stir up more persecution towards Paul, in his imprisonment, but others were preaching Christ out of love (agape), 26, because he was precious to them, and thought to further his cause.

PRECIOUS

In this passage, (eudokia) is paralleled with (agape), which means actions expressed, because something or someone is 'precious'; 'extremely valuable', towards another.

ALWAYS THINKING GOOD

In the Christmas narrative, the idea is not just the general expression, that God has "good will" towards people, but rather, He is constantly, and consistently thinking good towards everyone. He is not mad at anybody. Only the cruelness of "religion" seeks to type cast our Father, as some austere, distant, displeased creator. In fact, He is always thinking good, and His constant good thoughts, toward His people, moved Him to send Jesus, "...a Savior, which is Christ, the Lord".

ALWAYS GOOD

He is never mad at you. His overwhelming, superabundant thoughts, are always "good", towards you, because you are precious to Him; extremely valuable, as a pearl of great price; a treasure hid in a field, that He sold all for; and gave everything He had for; to gain full, and complete possession, of His precious purchase.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours