Steadfastness in Doing Good Works

Steadfastness in Doing Good Works 

Study Text: Galatians 6:9 - 10

Introduction:

For everyone who has devoted himself to doing good to others, there will always come a temptation to grow weary and want to give up. 

Whether it is in a relationship, a serving position, or just being generally kind in dealing with people, circumstances will become difficult and temptation to quit or stop the good deeds will spring up in our hearts.

So how can followers of Christ be prepared to be steadfast in doing good even when situation doesn’t seem to be working?

 Paul encourages the believers in the Church of Galatia with this – “let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

There is a difference between being tired and being wearied. Tiredness is being physically fatigued due to working hard and are not wasting time. 

But weariness is a feeling of despair and a desire to quit. 

While there is little we can do to prevent tiredness, especially when we keep working hard, there is much we need to do to prevent weariness, and be steadfast in doing good works.

We shall be discussing the topic under three subheadings:

1.  The Purpose of Doing Good Works 

2.  The Pattern of Doing Good Works 

3.  The Perseverance in Doing Good Works 

1.  The Purpose of Doing Good Works 

When we claim Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, God gives us a specific purpose for our salvation, which is to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). 

But He doesn’t just give us a general idea of good deeds that we can choose from. But He specifically lays out each step for us and these steps are the good deeds that He wants us to specifically accomplish in Christ.

If we become weary when doing these good works, we are  forgetting our purpose in Christ or  believing that our purpose is not important. 

God designed every good deed in your life specifically for you to accomplish, which means you have a very specific purpose in God’s grand plan.

So, whatever good works you can do, base on your personality, position and your possession, God created those good works so that you would walk in them, and they are just as important in God’s plan as the ones others are doing.

God designed this important good work specifically for you to walk in it for your good and the good of others.

In whatever role God has you serving at this time in your life, it is essential to His plan for you and everyone else around you (Romans 8:28).

 What a joy it is to know that we all have good purpose in His plan.

The Word of God does not just say for us to stop becoming weary in our purpose, God also includes a promise of good for us.  He says “in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

 Weariness in doing good tells us that our flesh is doubting this promise to be true. We are saying that God will either not cause His promises to come true or won’t accomplish them within the timing that we desire.

In those moments of doubt, God does not leave us alone to deal with the struggle. We can remember Jesus, the One who “endured such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or faint hearted” 

(Hebrews 12:3).

Knowing this empowers us to continue doing good even when it is not received well, when others don’t change, or when we feel it is unimportant.

The goal of doing good is not just to see others change, doing good is also supposed to be changing us. 

The question I can now ask myself is this: Will I be faithful to continue doing good even if I am the only one changing?

What if God’s plan in you doing good was to change you for your good?

Galatians 6:10 – “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

2.  The Pattern of Doing Good Works:

The Bible states that Christians are "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them," Ephesians 2:10.

This means that good works are not optional extras but a core part of God's plan for believers.

Living a life of good works is a way of fulfilling the purpose for which we were created. 

Titus 2:7 encourages believers to "show themselves a pattern of good works". 

This involves actively demonstrating good works in all areas of life, not just in Church or when convenient. 

It's about developing a consistent lifestyle of service and love for others, reflecting Christ's character. 

ome specific aspects of good works include, but not limited to the following:

1.  Integrity: 

Being honest, steadfast, and upright in character. 

2.  Reverence:

 Showing respect and honour to God in actions and words. 

3.  Incorruptibility:

 Maintaining moral purity and resisting temptation at all times.

4.  Zeal for good works: 

Having a strong desire and eagerness to do good. 

5.  Serving others:

 Helping those in need, offering support, and building up the community. 

6.  Glorifying God:

 Ensuring that our actions point to God's goodness and not our own, and that He takes all the glory over our lives.

7.  Building Relationships:

 Fostering healthy marriages, strengthening family bonds, and promoting unity within the Church. 

8.  Practicing Hospitality:

 Showing kindness and generosity to those around us. 

9.  Working with Excellence:

 Approaching tasks with diligence and striving for high standards in all that we do. 

Leaders in the church are specifically called to be examples of good works. 

Their lives should be a reflection of the teachings they preach, inspiring others to follow. 

By living a life of good works, believers can demonstrate the transforming power of the gospel and lead others to Christ.

3.  The Perseverance in Doing Good Works:

The Word of God  encourages believers to persevere in good works, reminding them that their efforts will be rewarded by God in due time, even when immediate results are not visible.

 This is a call to endurance, acknowledging the potential for weariness but urging continued faithfulness in serving God and others.

The Scripture  emphasizes the importance of continuing to do good, even when faced with challenges, discouragement, or the absence of immediate results. 

God promises a harvest for those who persevere. This reward is not always immediate but will come in God's perfect timing. 

 It is natural to experience weariness when doing good, especially when facing difficulties or lacking visible progress. But believers are encouraged to remember they are working for the Lord and that God sees and appreciates their efforts, even if others do not. 

Don't give up even when feeling discouraged, continue to do good, knowing that God is faithful and will reward your efforts. 

 God's timing is perfect, and the harvest will come in due season. 

 When feeling weary, turn to God for strength and encouragement.  Remember that your good works are pleasing to God, and He sees your faithfulness. 

Be a source of encouragement to others who may be struggling with weariness in well-doing.