Look at All the Good You Can Do

by Bryan Gibson

January 1, 2009

Various New Testament passages exhort us to do good works for our brethren, including Galatians 6:9-10, Philippians 2:3-4, and 1 John 3:16-18. Let’s look at some things you can start doing right away in 2009—if you’re not doing them already.

You can attend the various assemblies of the church, as well as the Bible classes organized by the church. This is an excellent way to “stir up love and good works” in your brethren (Hebrews 10:24-25). You encourage your brethren when you’re there; you discourage them when you’re not.

You can give words of encouragement to those who shepherd the flock, to those who teach, lead singing, lead prayer, etc.—especially young people (or recent converts) who have just started doing some of these things.

Whenever you see or hear of someone doing something good, you can commend him or her with a letter, phone call, e-mail, text message, or better yet, in person. This can keep them from growing “weary while doing good” (Galatians 6:9).

You can do like Barnabas (Acts 11:22-23) and encourage those who have recently obeyed the gospel.

You can encourage those who seem to be discouraged—for whatever reason. Do it in person, via phone call, letter, etc.—just make sure you do it. You’ll know these kind of needs better if you spend more time with your brethren. “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad” (Proverbs 12:25). “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24).

You can encourage those who are lonely, who maybe don’t have the companionship that some of us enjoy. Sometimes the best thing we can do for them is to simply listen.

You can visit those who are sick or shut-in, or you can call them or send them a card. You may even need to do something for them while they’re sick. If you wait to be asked, it may not get done. Remember the words of Jesus: “…inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40).

You can “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). When someone loses a loved one, be there for them. Send cards, take food, and be there for the funeral—all of this matters a great deal. “Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus” (2 Corinthians 7:6). How many times has God comforted you by the “coming” of one His people? You be the one He uses next time to comfort someone else.

You can obey James 1:27, which says, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble...” Dorcas did (Acts 9:36-39), so there’s no reason you can’t.

You can understand the importance of doing the seemingly small things. “And if anyone gives a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because He is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42, NIV).

You can seek to restore any of your brethren who have gone astray (Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20). Don’t wait until they have completely fallen away before you take action. “There are souls who linger on the brink of woe, Lord, I must not, can not bear to let them go; Let me go and tell them, brother, turn and flee, Master, I would save them, here am I, send me” (“There Is Much To Do,” M.W. Spencer).

CONCLUSION:

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can” (John Wesley).

“Each day I’ll do a golden deed, by helping those who are in need, My life on earth is but a span, and so I’ll do the best I can” (“A Beautiful Life,” William M. Golden).

“I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4).