(Tripp Ledger – 9/16/2014)

Do the Right Thing

“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 (New International Version)

Here the Apostle Paul points out something that is obvious and yet, at the same time, often overlooked. Doing good is often hard work. Sadly, this is often glossed over in Christian teaching. Often we hear a message of “if you come to Christ, your life will be blessed” – meaning comfortable and easy. But the truth is, doing the right thing is tough. In fact, the Bible teaches it is more than tough – apart from Jesus, it is impossible. Only through the Holy Spirit’s work can we find the strength, endurance, and will to do good.

Each day it seems more difficult to do the right thing in this world. Teenagers, and even adults, are increasingly pressured into forsaking the Biblical command to reserve sex for marriage. Excessive drinking and drug use are rampant and even celebrated in our culture. Those who refrain are often bullied and pressured into thinking they are not “normal.”  And not just from peers, but often it is the message they receive from adults – even their parents. Why is that? It’s because it is hard to do the right thing. And it is nearly impossible when you receive no support from others to persevere. We need to not just teach our children to do the right things, but we must also encourage them to persevere by keeping their eyes focused on Jesus Christ.

Remember, too, that the struggle against sin is not one of vanity.  If we do not give up, we will reap a harvest. The recent weather hints that harvest is close at hand; however, what would the fields look like today if farmers had given up when the work got tough?  What if they quit when the tractor had yet another problem?  Or if the weather didn’t cooperate?  What if they just put in a couple hours and then gave into their friends who wanted them to go fishing or golfing?  Obviously, the harvest would be pretty sparse.  So it is with our lives.  If we quit when the going gets tough, if we do the right thing only when it is easy or popular, what sort of harvest can we expect from our lives?  The answer is the same – if we quit, the fields of our lives will be bare – or worst yet, full of weeds.  Therefore, let us not become weary in doing good.  Let us look to God and His Word for direction and strength to do the right thing – even when it isn’t popular.

Pastor Barry Nelson