Galatians 6:9-10
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
It’s hard to persevere, sometimes, especially when it seems like your efforts are getting you nowhere. It could be a work project or work in general…perhaps an endless “to-do” list at home…saving money for a distant objective…or, as in the case of today’s passage, it could be in a lifestyle of looking out for the best interest of others. Do you have some people in your life that you sow into with friendship, kind words, and good deeds…and get nothing in return? Perhaps it’s a lost friend that still shows no real interest in the things of God?
Don’t give up on doing good.
There is no small amount of irony in the fact that this charge comes to us via the Apostle Paul. Before his Damascus road conversion, the last thing on his mind was doing good to people. In fact, it was the exact opposite. He was a religious terrorist who “began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison” (Acts 8:3). So, when a man like that finds unconditional love and forgiveness from the very Lord he sought to persecute…he would necessarily gain a powerful perspective on what it means to “not grow weary of doing good.” Jesus certainly didn’t in Paul’s case. Nor should we in anyone else’s.
That being said, we are also stewards of our time and efforts and so wisdom calls boundaries into effect so that we do not cast our pearls before swine (Mt 7:6) nor should we stay engaged in a situation where we cannot love ourselves as we love our neighbor. But let’s set those cases aside and stay focused on the positive—letting our light shine before men and each other!
It is not only by words that we give testimony to the greatness of God, but also by our works. Our good works in fact pave the way for our witness with good words. If our walk contradicts our words…we lose our testimony. Our “walk” and our “talk” must agree. Good works and good words must come from the same yielded heart. Too many believers today emphasize guarding the truth but downplay living the truth. One of the best ways to guard the truth is to put it into practice (Precept Austin Commentary).
The great John Wesley said, “Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” I would add…” even when they don’t say ‘Thank You’ or seem to appreciate it!” Oh, that I would be known for my commitment to doing good deeds, especially within the Family of Faith! We need to trust that when we are sowing in the Spirit via our good deeds…in due season, we will reap, if we do not give up! What will that harvest look like? Perhaps we will see it in this life, but most assuredly we will in the next! God only gives His children good gifts (Jas 1:17), so let’s take Him at his word and entrust the fruit of our good deeds into his care!
