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I. WHAT IS GOOD. That which has all things required to its perfection. There is —

1. Transcendent good, God (Luke 18:19).

2. Natural good, perfect in its nature (Genesis 1:31).

3. Moral good, conformity to right reason (1 Timothy 2:3).

II. WHAT IS IT TO CLEAVE TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD.

1. To approve of it.

2. To desire it.

3. To be constant in practising good works, so as to cleave to them and be one with them.

III. WHY ARE WE TO CLEAVE TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD. Because —

1. We are constantly receiving good from God.

2. We are commanded to be always doing good (Luke 1:75; Proverbs 23:17; Psalm 119:96).

3. When we do not good we sin.

IV. HOW ARE WE ALWAYS TO DO GOOD. To this is required —

1. Faith in Christ.

(1)  Nothing is in itself good, but what is done by His grace (John 15:5).

(2)  Nothing accepted but by His merit (Isaiah 64:6; 1 Peter 2:5).

2. It must be agreeable for the matter, to the Word of God (Isaiah 1:12).

3. Done in obedience to that Word (1 Samuel 15:22).

4. Understandingly (1 Corinthians 14:15).

5. Willingly (Psalm 110:3).

6. Cheerfully (Psalm 40:8).

7. With the utmost of our power (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

8. In faith (Romans 14:23).

9. Humbly.

(1)  Not vainly thinking that good works come from thyself (2 Corinthians 3:5).

(2)  Nor expecting salvation by them.

10. To the glory of God (Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

V. CLEAVE TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD, SO AS ALWAYS TO DO IT. Consider:

1. How honourable an employment it is (1 Samuel 2:30). The work —

(1)  Of angels (Hebrews 1:14).

(2)  Of Christ (Acts 10:38).

(3)  Of God (Genesis 1.).

2. How pleasant.

(1)  Thy conscience will hereby be void of offence (Acts 24:16).

(2)  Thy heart rejoicing in the love of God (Philippians 4:4).

3. How profitable. Hereby thou wilt gain —

(1)  Honour to thy religion.

(2)  God's favour to thyself (Isaiah 66:2).

(3)  An assurance of thy interest in Christ (James 2:26).

(4)  The concurrence of all things to thy good (Romans 8:28).

(5)  Eternal happiness (Matthew 25:46).

(Bp. Beveridge.)

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KJV: Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

WEB: Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.