But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13
Have you ever been that person in the situation where you have just done something that you felt should have been given some kind of recognition and didn't get any? Most of us would appreciate others respecting us enough to congratulate us on our accomplishments in some way, even if it be small. It's not fun to be ignored is it.
The Thessalonians were tired of helping people who gave them no respect in return. They were ready to let the lazy, rude people do everything on their own. So Paul, knowing this, wrote them a letter of encouragement. He said to them that they oughtn't be discouraged from "doing good". Why? Because if they stopped, then no longer would they be doing the work of Christ; they would give in to the follies of the world.
We often get frustrated when our work goes by unnoticed, or when no one listens to us, and we are so let down that we want nothing better than to just quit. But then we would be giving in, and if we quit, and no one else were fighting, then all would be lost... Jesus said that even if one person were saved, all would be worth it. (Read Luke 15:3-7) So the next time you want to complain about how you are treated, just remember that we are fighting a battle with the evils of the world, and that the only way to win is to never give up what we do.
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:14-16
But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:15.
Now while this verse is more referring to confronting your brethren in love (like the theme in the daily bread "True Friends"), we could take it out of context for a moment and apply it to what we are looking at today.
We get so frustrated with people that we sometimes lash out at them for not acknowledging us (or whatever the case may be). But this verse says to admonish him as a brother, not view him as our enemy. This can be a difficult thing to do I know. But when we "do good" to others, we let Christ's example shine bright from our actions--and while it may not seem so obvious to us at the time, people are watching us and noting how we behave. They are curious about why do the things we do. Let's not give them cause to think that we are failures and just like everyone else. After all, that would probably just prove to them that there is no God if we who claim to follow Him don't act like there is one either.
How can we say we are something when we don't live it ourselves? And then we tell others to believe it too. We admonish them and slander them, labeling them enemies of Christ. We are hypocrites when we claim to follow God and yet sin when the world is not looking. So don't think we have to "do good" to earn us good marks with God. When we do good, we need to do it with a humble spirit, and for others, not for ourselves. Good works aren't just to make us look like good little Christians to society. It is nice to hear praise, but just remember to give God all the credit and not be disappointed when no one says anything. Feel proud within your self that you are shining His light to the world. And don't worry; they may not like to admit it, but they are usually listening.*
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Let is shine.
Whitney
