Doing good is the essence of Christianity. Jesus came into the world to do good (Acts 10:28), and He expects his followers to do good as well (Matthew 5:16; 6:10; James 4:17). That “good-doing” extends to every area of life. It means not only loving those who love us, but even those who would do us harm (Matthew 5:44), as well as extending acts of kindness even to those who do not deserve such (I Peter 2:21-f). It even means patiently enduring persecution if need be, that the name of Jesus be glorified. Doing good is what the Golden Rule is all about (Luke 6:31-f).

 

Doing good is personal; “good-doing” is done by persons. It is an outward manifestation of love performed by a person committed to Christ and His gospel. It may show mercy, kindness, benevolence, or just simple courtesy, but its main intention is to show love. Love is the basis for good service. When Jesus washed the feet of the disciples (John 13:1-16), it most certainly was a sign of His personal humility, but that humility was the offspring of His personal love. He makes the application intimate when He says, “If I, then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye ought also to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). It was a personal thing, one to the other. His summation is simple: “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” It’s a personal enjoinder.

                   

Doing good is very often the key to one’s own happiness. Everyone suffers the pain of discouragement from time to time. I have found that the best way to get out of the pit of discouragement is to get up, get out, and do something for someone. That may mean divorcing yourself from yourself, and putting yourself at the disposal of others, but you will soon realize that there is a sense of satisfaction which comes from being concerned enough for others that you are willing to wade in to their difficulties– even if it brings some difficulty or inconvenience to yourself. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do it heartily as unto the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24), Even if you receive no accolades for a good deed done here, remember that God sees. 

 

And time is short. We need to do as much good as we can right now. Henry Drummond once wrote, “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” If you had planned to send some flowers, do it today. If some encouraging remark for someone is on your mind, get in touch with them and say it. If a visit would encourage some down-trodden soul, get up, get out, and get on with it. And if someone needs to hear, “I love you,” say it now while there is yet time. Time flies. So do opportunities. 

 

Some folks think that doing good requires some big act of some kind–some large donation, some huge consideration, some special service. It is not so! Some of the most special and precious gifts are small, simple expressions of love. It’s not the price of the gift nor the value of the service that makes it special, but the love and sincerity with which it is given. Even the smallest favor–like at well-timed “thank you,” or “you’re so nice,” or “you’re very pleasant,” can bring considerable and immediate joy to someone–even someone you don’t know very well. Some of the grandest gifts of all, if measured in terms of money, might seem to be cheap items.  But there is real value in the genuine love that prompted that small, sometimes insignificant gift. 

 

And let me remind you of something: intentions won’t serve for the act of doing good. You have to do more than intend. I think most folks want to do good, and I think most folks intend to. They just don’t get around to it. I doubt seriously that the Good Samaritan did not do what he did as a one-time, isolated incident. Chances are he acted that way all the time. And please observe–he ran the risk, he got involved. He didn’t wait around. He did what He could–personally–while he could. Folks, we have to give ourselves before we will give to others (II Corinthians 8:5), and we have to follow through to be effective (James 2:15-17). 

 

It’s always in order to do good. That person who is determined to do good sweetens every situation and adds something special to every circumstance. “As we have opportunity, let us do good...”