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. (Galatians 6:9-10)
As the world’s love grows colder and colder (Matthew 24:12, 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 3:13), it can become very discouraging as Christian, to do good to anybody out here. Some of the struggle comes with backbiting so-called Christians, who you place your trust in, and do just some of the most evil things you’ve ever seen. For example, they hang around you until you stand for truth in Jesus Christ and they viciously malign your name across everyone they meet. They lie and gossip about you all because you spoke truth about their ‘mand of gawd’. This can just down write discouraging to a believer, but let us not become weary in our well doing, especially to those who are believers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The scripture listed above from Galatians 6, encourages us to keep on doing well and puts special emphasis on treating well believers. In a world getting worse, how can we be encouraged to continue on? Well let’s look at what it means to do well, and then we will explore how to apply this good upon all, and finally see the importance of doing good to those who are believers. This should encourage us to endure until the end my friends (Matthew 24:12)
What is doing good?
Verse ten of Galatians uses the word good which is the word ‘agathos ä-gä-tho's. This adjective is used to mean that which, being "good" in its character or constitution, is beneficial in its effect; it is used. Doing good is as such:
Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again. In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself. Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again. (Deuteronomy 22:1-4)
To keep murders from occurring, God gave the law of being responsible for your brother’s property. Isn’t that interesting? Doing well has a purpose. So to good has a benefit. Doing well is positive and its effects are positive, no matter how dreadful the situation.
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:30-37)
The Samaritan, did good in what Jesus Christ described as being a neighbor. Of course, doing good doesn’t say that you are a Christian. However, it is a characteristic and a visible love a Christian should be identified by.
But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:15-17)
How can we apply doing good?
Only by the Spirit of God can we really do good unto all men. A Christian, even though they may struggle in this area, has the Holy Spirit inside of them to do good unto all men. 1 John 4 makes this very clear:
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. (1 John 4:7-13)
So believe that Jesus Christ can work in you to do good until all men. That is why Romans 12 says to us to not repay with evil. These commands in the Scriptures are commands the Christian can obey. Yes, we choose not to sometimes, but we must believe Christ is and the Father will do the work.
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6:28-29)
Yesterday, I had an African lady showed up at my door asking if I could watch her children. I did not know this woman nor her children. All I knew was that she drops them off to be tutored with my next door neighbor. I saw this lady’s desperation and said I would watch her children. She informed me that she had a parenting class to go to by 5:30pm. I fed her children and kept watch of them until my neighbor arrived. See, only the Spirit of God could do good to that lady. I found out later that the lady is racist (she hates black men!) No matter what, Christ Jesus in you does good to all men:
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, 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; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:43-45)
The importance of being good to believers!
One area we may fail to realize is beneficial is doing good unto those who are believers. The importance is exalting Christ Jesus. The law of Jesus Christ is fulfilled when we bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:1-2). People know that we are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ when they see us loving one another (John 13:35). We use this scripture a lot to justify our correcting brothers in public. What Paul did with Peter was beneficial to the edification of the church.
But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? (Galatians 2:11-14)
Well the Paul withstood Peter because Peter was to be blamed. Because of dissimulation, Barnabas was carried away in it. See the little bit of leaven was leavening the whole lump (Galatians 5:7-9). Is this not a time to help a brother out? Yes, this is a time to do what Galatians 6:1 is speaking of, and that is a good thing. Why, see the Lord Jesus Christ is exalted and Peter didn’t lead a movement into bad doctrine. Man if we as the body of Jesus would do this more often? Even with the brother that disagrees with us, we can we not do good unto them? Arguments continue on a lot of times because neither party wants to give up their claim of being right:
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. (Acts 15:36-41)
Now these brothers had a heated argument. So bad (and Holy Ghost still used them), they parted ways. Each one stated their claim as to what was right. If one, just one of them had humbled themselves, and look to do good, what would have happened? Although we know God used them both, we have indication in the scripture that reconciliation took place:
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. (2 Timothy 4:11)
Doing well to the brethren really gives glory to Christ. I know a lot of times we want to take hold of our doctrinal stance, or flash our righteousness badge, but just seeking to do well to a brother or sister brings glory to our Savior. I did not cover everything possible on this subject, yet I pray you have been edified by God’s Holy Word. As always, I will leave with a scripture for us to think about. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:1-11)
As the world’s love grows colder and colder (Matthew 24:12, 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 3:13), it can become very discouraging as Christian, to do good to anybody out here. Some of the struggle comes with backbiting so-called Christians, who you place your trust in, and do just some of the most evil things you’ve ever seen. For example, they hang around you until you stand for truth in Jesus Christ and they viciously malign your name across everyone they meet. They lie and gossip about you all because you spoke truth about their ‘mand of gawd’. This can just down write discouraging to a believer, but let us not become weary in our well doing, especially to those who are believers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The scripture listed above from Galatians 6, encourages us to keep on doing well and puts special emphasis on treating well believers. In a world getting worse, how can we be encouraged to continue on? Well let’s look at what it means to do well, and then we will explore how to apply this good upon all, and finally see the importance of doing good to those who are believers. This should encourage us to endure until the end my friends (Matthew 24:12)
What is doing good?
Verse ten of Galatians uses the word good which is the word ‘agathos ä-gä-tho's. This adjective is used to mean that which, being "good" in its character or constitution, is beneficial in its effect; it is used. Doing good is as such:
Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again. In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself. Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again. (Deuteronomy 22:1-4)
To keep murders from occurring, God gave the law of being responsible for your brother’s property. Isn’t that interesting? Doing well has a purpose. So to good has a benefit. Doing well is positive and its effects are positive, no matter how dreadful the situation.
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:30-37)
The Samaritan, did good in what Jesus Christ described as being a neighbor. Of course, doing good doesn’t say that you are a Christian. However, it is a characteristic and a visible love a Christian should be identified by.
But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:15-17)
How can we apply doing good?
Only by the Spirit of God can we really do good unto all men. A Christian, even though they may struggle in this area, has the Holy Spirit inside of them to do good unto all men. 1 John 4 makes this very clear:
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. (1 John 4:7-13)
So believe that Jesus Christ can work in you to do good until all men. That is why Romans 12 says to us to not repay with evil. These commands in the Scriptures are commands the Christian can obey. Yes, we choose not to sometimes, but we must believe Christ is and the Father will do the work.
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6:28-29)
Yesterday, I had an African lady showed up at my door asking if I could watch her children. I did not know this woman nor her children. All I knew was that she drops them off to be tutored with my next door neighbor. I saw this lady’s desperation and said I would watch her children. She informed me that she had a parenting class to go to by 5:30pm. I fed her children and kept watch of them until my neighbor arrived. See, only the Spirit of God could do good to that lady. I found out later that the lady is racist (she hates black men!) No matter what, Christ Jesus in you does good to all men:
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, 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; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:43-45)
The importance of being good to believers!
One area we may fail to realize is beneficial is doing good unto those who are believers. The importance is exalting Christ Jesus. The law of Jesus Christ is fulfilled when we bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:1-2). People know that we are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ when they see us loving one another (John 13:35). We use this scripture a lot to justify our correcting brothers in public. What Paul did with Peter was beneficial to the edification of the church.
But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? (Galatians 2:11-14)
Well the Paul withstood Peter because Peter was to be blamed. Because of dissimulation, Barnabas was carried away in it. See the little bit of leaven was leavening the whole lump (Galatians 5:7-9). Is this not a time to help a brother out? Yes, this is a time to do what Galatians 6:1 is speaking of, and that is a good thing. Why, see the Lord Jesus Christ is exalted and Peter didn’t lead a movement into bad doctrine. Man if we as the body of Jesus would do this more often? Even with the brother that disagrees with us, we can we not do good unto them? Arguments continue on a lot of times because neither party wants to give up their claim of being right:
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. (Acts 15:36-41)
Now these brothers had a heated argument. So bad (and Holy Ghost still used them), they parted ways. Each one stated their claim as to what was right. If one, just one of them had humbled themselves, and look to do good, what would have happened? Although we know God used them both, we have indication in the scripture that reconciliation took place:
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. (2 Timothy 4:11)
Doing well to the brethren really gives glory to Christ. I know a lot of times we want to take hold of our doctrinal stance, or flash our righteousness badge, but just seeking to do well to a brother or sister brings glory to our Savior. I did not cover everything possible on this subject, yet I pray you have been edified by God’s Holy Word. As always, I will leave with a scripture for us to think about. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:1-11)
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