Today, 18 July, is known as Mandela Day, celebrating the life of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, born 18 July 1918 (passed away 5 December 2013).
Nelson Mandela is a global icon and a beacon of hope to so many people, that it has now become a tradition to take 67 minutes of one’s time on this day (a minute for every year of his public service) and bestow it on those less fortunate or in need. This could be in the form of an act of kindness or public service.
As I have been observing, listening, and partaking in all kinds discussions and preparations with various people on what they will be doing for Mandela Day, it is clear that for some it’s a true heart-felt gesture, and they just needed some motivation to get up and do something good. For many others, however, it is just a massive media and marketing campaign to get their name out there for all to see.
Now I am not writing all of this to discuss Mandela Day or the incentives and motives behind it, but rather to reflect on what God’s Word says about good deeds and caring for others. The first thing I am reminded of is that good deeds on its own does not put us in right standing with God – neither does it bring us to salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says:
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Here we are clearly reminded of how salvation and redemption is God’s gift to us, through grace and His loving nature. It is not given to us through merit or good deeds, rather purely out of God’s love for us.
Now by saying this I do not mean that we do not have to do any good deeds or help the poor; quite the contrary, as the very next verse, Ephesians 2:10, states:
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Furthermore, throughout the Bible we read on how we should feed the hungry and care for the orphans and the widows, and how this is not only pleasing to God, but also His will. we read that it pleases Him.
The point I am trying to make is that it all starts with our relationship with God through Christ Jesus, and this is not something we could have earned – it was rather given to us in love. Secondly, we need to follow God’s example, doing as He instructs, helping those in need. The crux of this point is the attitude in which we do it and the motives. For as the scripture says, God’s commandments are summed up in one word: love.
So let us continue to do the good God has called us to do, not seeking self-satisfaction or public promotion, yet rather to honour our heavenly Father who freely gave His life that we may live.
Let us not only wait for one day in a year that has been set aside to give a tiny portion of our time, but let us rather give our all to God, and go wherever He may direct us.