CONSISTENCY IN DOING GOOD

07 MAY 2021

The Thessalonian Christians following Pauline's teachings and encouragement were faithful in acting on his instructions and exhortations. Paul's paraenesis to these very Christians is an indication of his confidence in their faithfulness. A Christian life should be devoted to doing good. In other words, we must learn to cultivate the zeal and diligence for every good work to the glory of God. In fact, it is a significant aspect of a successful Christian living.

Reference: 2 Thessalonians 3:13 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

"But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary of doing good."

Here Paul's proteptic is centred on the importance of ethic of beneficence, with a reference to the Thessalonians being established in good works. It is a perfect source of inspiration to remind them how important it was to keep on doing good. Paul would not ask the brethren to do good or continue in it, if they did not have the ability to do good. One of the blessings we've received in Christ is the ability to do good. Making a positive impact is doing good. Caring for others is doing good. Doing what is right in God's sight even when it doesn't feel right and convenient, is doing good. Protecting other people's self-worth or identity and having their best interests at heart, even when they don't deserve it, is doing good.

Frankly, it is not enough to have good thoughts and intention to do good, you must readily act on those thoughts, otherwise it would remain a wish and no good deeds. More so, nothing can keep you inspired and committed to doing good like the love of God. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (ESV) says, "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." The love of Christ motivates us not to live in selfishness, but to live for Christ and do good works in Him.

The Bible says, "The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" ( Romans 5:5 KJV). The love of God in our hearts directs and inspires our very act and deed of beneficence towards the benefit of others, and restrains us from every selfish consciousness. But we need to maintain the effort on a personal level, in spite of what comes our way. That is what Paul meant by saying, "do not grow weary of doing good". Our ever-ready kindness and honourable display of generosity can secure a place of honour and respect for us even in the hearts of unreasonable people.

Every action associated with doing good is so powerful that just one person with passion for good deeds can cause a positive change in their world and inspire others to do the same. That means, doing good still makes a great difference in today's world. Interestingly, you don't have to obtain a school certificate or a degree to do good. You only need a heart full of grace and the love of God, no matter your level or position in life. And God's grace and love are a full force that can influence our hearts and propel our actions for good deeds.

Without showing perseverance in good deeds, our faith in Christ and love for God will seem incomplete. It will also mean that we are living for ourselves or conforming to the selfish pattern of the world. Moreover, Galatians 6:9 reads, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up"(NLT). Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Proverbs 11:25; Matthew 5:16; Romans 12:13; Hebrews 6:10; ÷Galatians 6:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 13:16.

Guided Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your beneficence often displayed in my life, for you generously provide all I need and make all grace abound to me, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, I can abound in every good work. I'm grateful for divine enablement and my cheerfulness in the act of almsgiving and every goodness. Therefore, as I enjoy the luxury of full supply by your Spirit and persevere in doing good, I'm made perfect and entire, lacking nothing in Christ, in Jesus' Name, Amen!