"Do not grow weary in doing good." 2 Thessalonians 3:13
I don't know about you, but I definitely feel like I need this reminder every once in awhile. It's so easy to get into the mindset of "Okay, I did my one good deed for the day, so I can check that off the list." However, God did not call us to do one good thing a day. Through Paul, He said "do not grow weary in doing good." To me, this signifies constantly doing good, not just an act here or there.
As Christians, we exemplify God's character to the world. He is perfectly and amazingly good, ALL the time. Therefore, we should do good so that the world can see how great a God we serve. So often, people (including myself) struggle to do good. It can grow tiresome, especially when the things of this world always seem to be beating us down, no matter what we do. In addition, it can be hard to do good when we are not recognized for our actions. The world tells us we should get public praise for any good that we do. Just look at the most recent news stories or celebrity gossip articles. If I'm being completely honest, I have sometimes bought into the lie that people need to recognize my actions. Yet Jesus tells us just the opposite. In Matthew 6:1, He says this:"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven."
What does it mean to do good? I think it means following the Holy Spirit in word and deed, always striving to live as Christ would. There's no specific formula for doing good. There's no checklist, no exact model for every single situation. Luke 6:27-28 says this: "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." I think doing goodness is representing Christ in every single thing you do.
So I echo Paul's challenge to you today: Do not grow weary in doing good. Have a great Saturday!
I don't know about you, but I definitely feel like I need this reminder every once in awhile. It's so easy to get into the mindset of "Okay, I did my one good deed for the day, so I can check that off the list." However, God did not call us to do one good thing a day. Through Paul, He said "do not grow weary in doing good." To me, this signifies constantly doing good, not just an act here or there.
As Christians, we exemplify God's character to the world. He is perfectly and amazingly good, ALL the time. Therefore, we should do good so that the world can see how great a God we serve. So often, people (including myself) struggle to do good. It can grow tiresome, especially when the things of this world always seem to be beating us down, no matter what we do. In addition, it can be hard to do good when we are not recognized for our actions. The world tells us we should get public praise for any good that we do. Just look at the most recent news stories or celebrity gossip articles. If I'm being completely honest, I have sometimes bought into the lie that people need to recognize my actions. Yet Jesus tells us just the opposite. In Matthew 6:1, He says this:"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven."
What does it mean to do good? I think it means following the Holy Spirit in word and deed, always striving to live as Christ would. There's no specific formula for doing good. There's no checklist, no exact model for every single situation. Luke 6:27-28 says this: "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." I think doing goodness is representing Christ in every single thing you do.
So I echo Paul's challenge to you today: Do not grow weary in doing good. Have a great Saturday!
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