“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9 NIV
One of the hardest things in life is to be consistent. It could be tiring, and at times, prove to be unrewarding. This is even more applicable when it comes to doing good. Sometimes, you even get burnt for choosing to do good. Nevertheless, the Bible text above says–essentially–be consistent with doing good.
I believe this topic is so timely because we are in a world where being mean and wicked is glamorized. New slangs are invented almost daily to mask these words and make them seem more acceptable. But we must be careful not to fall victim. A saying goes “An apple doesn’t fall too far from its tree”. As godly ambassadors and children of the God that does good, we too must do good.
At least three other times in scripture, it is mentioned that we should keep on doing good, why? Here’s the reason. Whenever I read Matthew 5:16, I am made to remember the need to do good. The whole essence of letting your light shine is so that men may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. The world will only glorify your God when they see your good works. This is not just a biblical concept. In life, when anyone is exceptional, people want to know what or to whom they can attribute that greatness. For believers, our greatness, first and foremost, comes from God. But if we fail at doing good, we pass up the chance to glorify God.
The best Biblical example for this topic is Jesus. If there was anyone who was never tired of doing good, it was Jesus. Even as He hung on the cross, He still prayed for us. There is a song that says “Everywhere He went, He was doing good”. Even people who do not acknowledge Jesus as Lord acknowledge His good heart. It was by His good doings that He won over the likes of Zaccheus and the Samaritan woman. We make evangelism thrive better when we do not relent in doing good.
“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”
Acts 10:38 NIV
If men do not acknowledge your good deeds, there is a God in heaven who sees those deeds and rewards them. Tabitha was a popular seamstress who earned her fame by doing good. She sewed clothes for the widows and poor people among them who couldn’t afford to make new clothes. The Scripture says she was full of good works (Acts 9:36-37). She was good to people who could not pay her back for it. Then it happened one day that she died. The people she had been good to were the ones who brought Peter to her. They were the ones who connected her to her miracle (Acts 9: 38-42). When she was mending and making those clothes, she did not know that the harvest of that seed of well-doing would be as great as another shot at life.
Doing good should not be a one-off or once-in-a-while activity. You have to be consistent with it. The reward of doing good comes when you don’t give up. The Scripture assures us that there’s a reward for tirelessly doing good. It may not come when you want it but it will come in due time. (Gal. 6:9)
Another Biblical example that comes to mind is Joseph. His good-hearted nature had failed him so badly so far. Because of it, he was sold as a slave and ended up in prison. Yet, he did not stop what he was doing. In his bid to do good continuously, he helped a distressed co-prisoner and the conversations from that encounter led to his upliftment. In due time, the reward came. If Joseph got out of prison earlier, he would have been a household slave or at most, a free man in Egypt. But a day came when his consistent well-doing paid off and he was given a glorious reward. (Gen. 40-41)
Why was it necessary for the Apostle to mention that we should not grow weary of doing good? It’s because he knows that it can be tiring. The flesh is more comfortable doing what’s bad than what’s good. Moreover, it is more likely that people repay your good with evil. The same people who Jesus healed and taught were the same people who cried out “Crucify Him!”
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
Romans 7:18 ESV
That’s why trying in your own strength just doesn’t cut it. You would eventually give up because people generally like to take good people and good deeds for granted. But in Hebrews 12:3, we are told to remember the One who endured so much hostility despite his homeliness. We are told to remember the love of Christ. When we draw strength from the love of Christ displayed in His sacrifice, we will find ourselves strengthened regularly to do good at all times.
Faith+blog 