Galatians 6:10- As we have therefore
opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the
household of faith.
Doing good
is a trait (a distinguishing quality) which every child of God must have. We
are called to be to the praise of his glory. Philippians 2:14-15 says: Do all things without murmurings and
disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without
rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as
lights in the world. And Jesus said in Matthew
5:16: Let your light so shine before
men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in
heaven. The opportunity to do good must not be ignored! And they come every
day.
This is the
true rule about doing good. "The opportunity to do good," says Cotton
Mather, "imposes the obligation to do it." The simple rule is, that
we are favoured with the opportunity, and that we have the power. It is not
that we are to do it when it is convenient; or when it will advance the
interest of a party; or when it may contribute to our fame; the rule is, that
we are to do it when we have the opportunity. No matter how often that occurs;
no matter how many objects of benevolence are presented--the more the better;
no matter how much self-denial it may cost us; no matter how little fame we may
get by it; still, if we have the opportunity to do good, we are to do it, and
should be thankful for the privilege. And it is to be done to all men. Not to our
family only; not to our church members; not
to our party; not to our neighbours; not to those of our own colour; not to
those who live in the same land with us, but to all mankind. If we can reach
and benefit a man who lives on the other side of the globe, whom we have never
seen, and shall never see in this world or in the world to come, still we are
to do him good. Such is Christianity. And in this, as in all other respects, it
differs from the narrow and selfish spirit of clanship which prevails all over
the world.
On the same principle that a man is bound
particularly to benefit his own family and friends so it should excite us to do
good to all men, and to bless the stranger as well as the friend; the man who
has a different colour from our own, as well as he who has the same; the man
who lives in another clime, as well as he who was born in the same country in
which we live. There should be no
discrimination! God our father shows no partiality (Acts 10:34). For there is no difference between the Jew and
the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Jesus
said, he makes his sun
to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the
unjust (Matt 5:45). This is how JESUS lived and 1John 2:6 says; He that says he
abides in him ought himself also so to live, even as he lived. See Luke 10:25-37.
If you know these things blessed are you if you do them.