Many times I’ve received or given this farewell phrase. It’s most often used at a checkout register when shopping, or after catching up with a neighbor, or as a way to conclude a chat with a friend or acquaintance.
As I think about it, what am I actually hoping for them, and what are they hoping for me? Does it mean “I hope you have a good day”? Sounds like a good send-off. Does it mean “I hope you have a good trip or travels”? Again, sounds encouraging enough.
As I was considering this, I was reminded about what Jesus said in Matthew 12:36—we will give an account for every idle word we speak. Well that certainly puts this phrase, or any other words I choose to speak, in a different perspective. If I’m to give account for every idle word, I need to think about and choose my words carefully. Words have power, as Proverbs 18:21a reminds us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” and Proverbs 15:23 says, “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” Isn’t it so true that the right word spoken at the right time has tremendous power? With those reminders, maybe the expression “Have a good one!” could have a much richer, longer-lasting meaning and impact.
I could bid farewell with “Have a good one!” and ultimately mean “Have a good life now and into eternity.” Now that would be choosing my words wisely! But how, in just a brief moment, could words have that much power? Well, honestly, no persons’ words could ever have that level of power and truth other than the words of Jesus Christ. Words from Christ we see in John 10:10b say, “…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” We will only experience abundant life now and enjoy abundant life for all of eternity when we give our life to the One who can provide abundant and eternal life, Jesus Christ. Remember, He came that we may have life!
The fact is, we don’t know when this life ends but we do know it does end. We don’t know the date of our end, but we know we will die one day. But in Christ, we are made alive in Him now and for evermore! Romans 6:23 tells us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We may not know our ending date on this earth, but we can know our beginning date for our forever. You truly can “have a good one” if you will trust totally in Jesus Christ alone. He is the One that has paid the price for you, me, and all who trust in Him for abundant and eternal life. The Bible reminds us that as we are dead in sins we are made alive with Christ when we trust in Him. By grace we are saved!
You can truly “have a good one” when you:
Admit you are a sinner – Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins – Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Confess your sins and commit your life to Christ – Romans 10:9 “…If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
When a person truly commits his or her life to Christ and trusts in Him alone, II Corinthians 5:17 describes the result this way: “Therefore if any man [or woman] be in Christ, he [or she] is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” What a joyful moment that is!
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Article by Pastor Greg Joyner
Author: Editor
Community Connection is an outreach magazine and blog from Valley Forge Baptist to provide relevant and uplifting articles for the families and homes of Collegeville, PA and area residents. Articles are not just from staff but from other community members who’s lives have been touched by Jesus Christ. If we have been an encouragement to you please let us know at info@vfbt.org.
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