LET US DO GOOD

Gal 6:9-10 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Sowing spiritual seed, that is, demonstrating our love for God and for our fellow man, is to fulfill the law of Christ. All true, obedient children, of our Heavenly Father, are commanded to fear Him, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Eccl. 12:13). This has been fully explained by Paul in the verses preceding the lesson text. We are to never become tired and weary of this duty - this duty ofwell doing. This is exactly what Paul told the members of the church of Christ at Thessalonica (2 Thess. 3:13). Similar to this, Paul told the Christians in Corinth, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58). Indeed, it is just as true now as it was then, that in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

If we can faithfully hold out to the end, and faint not at the responsibility that lays before us, each Christian is assured, that in due season, we shall reap the promised reward of eternal life in heaven. There is a proneness, a tendency, for Christians to become lax, even indifferent at times, toward carrying out the duties and responsibilities that have been assigned by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom we serve. Satan is determined to interrupt the "well doing"duty of every Christian, by placing the lure of worldliness before us. We are warned to be vigilant, watchful, and on guard at all times, so that we will not place undue importance on the earthly rewards of life on earth, and lose sight of the reward of eternal life in heaven after our life on earth is completed. The writer of the Hebrew letter says that those that belong to Christ, and are faithful to His cause, must hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end (Heb. 3:14). Notice what Jesus toldHis faithful followers: But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved (Matt. 24:13).

How do we accomplish this steadfastness to the cause of Christ? Paul tells us! As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. The Puritan minister, Cotton Mather wrote, "The opportunity to do good, imposes the obligation to do it."It is an obligation at all times, and not only when it is convenient for us to do so. Doing good deeds unto others is the same as well doing, and it is also the same as sowing to the Spirit. This is God's commandment to all Christians.

This being so, we can be assured that we will be given sufficient opportunities to obey His will. It is our duty, then, to search for these opportunities lest they slip by us unnoticed. We must recognize them, and with love in our hearts, desire to do them. We are obligated to find the best possible way to fulfill them, and carry them out to the best of our abilities. To fail this commandment of love for others, is to fail in demonstrating our love for God. This truth of God cannot be taught more plain than from the Holy Spirit-inspired pen of the apostle John. He wrote, Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another (John 4:11), and also, If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also (1 John 4:20-21).

Obeying this commandment of God should begin at home with family and friends. On becoming a Christian, our well doing must especially be expanded to include one's Christian family within the church of Christ. As B. W. Johnson wrote this in his Explanatory Notes to the New Testament: "The Christian rule is to do good to all, but above all others, to love, cherish, and help the brethren." This commandment of God should never be understood that we are to do good to our fellow Christians OR to others. We are expected, by God,to do good to all mankind: to our family members, our friends, our neighbors, our fellow Christians, and to all strangers in need that we chance to meet. God showers his blessings on all mankind and He expects no less of His Children. Jesus took an Old Testament commandment and gave it a New Testament meaning. He said, Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matt. 5:43-44). When opportunity presents itself, let us, to the best of our ability, do good to everyone.