Last week we discussed one aspect of living perfectly: refraining from choosing any wrong choices. Another aspect is choosing to do that which is right. In other words you cannot live perfectly if you refrain from doing that which is good or that you know to be right.
We established that Jesus Christ refrained from doing any wrong. This means if He went about doing that which is good, He lived a perfect life free from error and sin. So what is good?
There are many philosophies and ideas on how to determine what is good. You can use the utilitarian approach, the values-based approach, or a variety of other options for deciding how you will determine what is right and good. I personally think of it as doing that which furthers and builds the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Whatever approach you use, there tends to be a common thread. That which is good tends to focus on helping those around you live happier and more complete lives. We will use this for our analysis of whether or not Jesus Christ chose to do good in His life.
One of the ways Jesus helped those around Him was by providing for their physical needs. We can find ample evidence of Him healing the sick, such as the lepers (see Matthew 8:2-3; Matthew 15:30; Matthew 21:14; Mark 1:40-42; Luke 5:12-13; Luke 17:12-19), the woman with an issue of blood (see Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-29; Luke 8:43-48), those who could not walk (see Matthew 9:2-8; Mark 2:3-12; Luke 5:18-26; John 5:4-9), and the blind (see Matthew 9:27-30; Matthew 12:22; John 9:1-7). He also saved lives by raising the dead (see Matthew 9:18-19, 22-25; Mark 5:23-24, 35-42; Luke 7:11-15; Luke 8:41-42, 49-55; John 11:11-44). He provided food and nourishment (see Matthew 14:16-21; Matthew 15:32-38; Mark 6:37-44; Mark 8:6-9; Luke 9:13-17; John 6:5-13). And He provided love and compassion (see Luke 7:11-15; Luke 23:34; John 8:3-11; John 19:25-27), as well as a multitude of other miracles for those with physical needs.
Another way Jesus went about helping those around Him was by providing spiritual nourishment. He instructed in the messages of the true gospel (see any of the parables for examples). He forgave sin (see Matthew 9:2-8; Luke 5:18-26; Luke 7:44-50; Mark 2:3-12; John 5:14). He established the true gospel structure (see Matthew 26:26-30; Luke 11:2-4). And He atoned and died for us (see Matthew 26:36-45; Matthew 27:31-50; Mark 14:32-42; Mark 15:37; Luke 22:39-46; Luke 23:46; John 19:30).
Jesus also went about doing good by living the laws of God and government. He paid taxes and taught others to do so (see Matthew 17:24-27; Matthew 22:16-22; Mark 12:14-17; Luke 20:20-26). He was baptized as commanded by God (see Matthew 3:13-16; Mark 1:9; Luke 3:21). He gave all honor to God and not to Himself (see John 5:19, 30; John 17). The only laws He didn’t observe were religious laws not authorized by God.
Jesus Christ went about doing that which was good. Since this is true, and since He refrained from giving into temptation, we can conclude that Jesus Christ lived a perfect life.
I testify that I know these things are true. I know Jesus was free of sin. I know He went about doing good. I know He lived a perfect life. I know that because Jesus Christ was perfect in life, He has the right, the power, and the authority to cleanse us of our sins so we can dwell with God even though we make mistakes. All that is required of us is our effort to be good in our choices and repentance when we fall short.
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