"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." - v.v. 9&10
What does it mean to be a person that does good? What is the Apostle Paul talking about here? If we take a look at the Greek text, we'll see that this means something a little more profound than doing the right thing.
Let's focus for a minute on the phrase "doing good," in v.9.
The Greek word for doing is poieo. Its meaning goes far beyond just "doing" and touches on the intent in doing. It means "to be the author of," and "to make something out of nothing." I've never written a book, but have written plenty of papers in college and seminary; hundreds of sermons and youth group talks and this is my 50-something-ith blog post so I know a little bit about being an author. An author begins with a vision or a dream of something that he or she wishes to convey to an audience. Literally, an author makes something out of nothing.
The Greek word here for good is kalos. Kalos is far more than just "good" or "nice." Kalos is something that's beautiful and precious and excellent. Most of the time when we think of things that are beautiful or precious or excellent, we think of things we look at or behold. Things that have a sign near them that says, "Please Do Not Touch." But this kind of beautiful, precious or excellent thing is also something that's useful and beneficial to somebody. This kind of good is something that's very tangible and leaves an indelible mark on the recipient.
So what Paul is really saying here, to his friends of the churches in Galatia, is this: When you see ugliness, hatred and brokenness; because of what Jesus has done for you and because of who you are in Him; be the author of bringing his priceless and excellent beauty to bear in the lives of people around you. Because of Jesus, Christians can bring beautiful and excellent useful things into the most hopeless situations that we see.
Paul continues in v.10 by saying that this doing good should be done for all people - regardless of spiritual maturity, ethnicity or social standing. And we should place a special emphasis on doing this for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Doing good for somebody else - especially when it requires perseverance and effort (if we do not give up - v.9) produces a harvest. The harvest in our own lives is two fold.
First, in v.8, Paul says, "the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Eternal life isn't just life in Heaven that begins after we die. Eternal life begins now! It begins here on earth! It's the abundant, joy-filled, satisfying life that Jesus said that he came to give in John 10:10. Our lives are fuller and richer when we sow beauty, love and excellence in the name of Jesus!
The second part of the harvest is that we become like Jesus! So many people stress about figuring out God's will for their lives. As if it goes something like this:
The ultimate will of God in our lives is that we become like Jesus! It's not some hidden agenda or message that we have to unravel through intense Scripture study and sleepless nights! If you work in a profession that honors God; choose hobbies and leisure that honor God; choose relationships that honor God; and live in a place that honors God, your primary concern in life should be to become like Jesus! One of the easiest ways to become like Jesus is to get in the habit of doing something good for somebody everyday!
Think about the life of Jesus as we read about it in the Gospels. What did he always do? He always did good things for people! More than holding doors and helping old people across the street; he loved people with an irrational kind of love. He touched people who had never been touched. He gave value and significance to those that didn't matter to the culture. He healed people. He prayed for people. He forgave people for their sins and gave them eternal life! Obviously, we can't make people right with God and give them eternal life, but we can do all of those other things that point them to the cross of Jesus and the empty tomb of Jesus, where they will find eternal life.
So how about it? What good will you do for somebody today or tomorrow? Start with the people in your own home. I know, that can be one of the toughest challenges that we face. The people that live in your neighborhood. The people that you work with. The people that you pass on the street. Maybe it will mean traveling somewhere else in the future because God has laid on your heart a burden to do good overseas. Wherever you are, there are people in your life who need to see and experience the goodness of God. Do something good today!
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