Keep Doing What's Right
Are you tired and feeling worn down by life? If so, here are a few encouraging thoughts!
Do you ever get tired of doing the right thing?
As Daniel Henderson says, “The hardest thing about the Christian life is that it is so daily.”[1]
Sensing this struggle among the Thessalonian believers, Paul writes them a second letter to encourage, clarify, and correct misunderstandings about the timing of Christ's return, warning them not to be deceived by false claims.
Though this book is short, it packs a powerful punch. As N.T. Wright notes, “This letter is often squeezed to one side by people who study Paul, in favour of the more obvious texts such as Romans and Galatians. But if it was the only piece of Paul that we had, we would still have quite a substantial picture of his ministry, his prayer, his thinking and his passion.”[2]
The real challenge the Thessalonian church faces is that outside opposition has increased–and some of this seems to be directed at Paul. But rather than getting angry, Paul sticks with the gentle tone in his first letter to the Thessalonians and encourages them.
He writes in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by what we said or what we wrote.” In 2 Thessalonians 3:3, Paul adds, “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” And in 2 Thessalonians 3:13, he adds, “Do not grow weary in doing good.”
In other words, don’t get so wrapped up in all that is wrong with the world that you fail to see what is right with God.
Often, it’s not the great attacks from Satan that destroy our faith. Instead, it’s the constant wear and tear of doing good for long periods of time with seemingly little reward. It’s faithfully serving at church but receiving no recognition. It’s helping that friend out who then goes on to stab you in the back. It’s pouring all you have into kids who grow up to blame you for their problems. Life can wear you down.
But if this is where you’re at today, it’s here that you need to apply these words from Paul to your own circumstances and not grow weary in doing good.
How do you do this? Again, this starts with Christ. It’s he who encourages our hearts and strengthens us “in every good work and word.”[4] If you grow distant from Christ, no amount of spiritual activity for him is of any value. You will grow weary and discouraged when you try to correct the grave injustices in this world by raw human ability. But when you fully trust in him, you do good with the right motivation.
You don’t usurp the place of God and do good just to correct all that is wrong. You do good to bring God’s kingdom to earth and illuminate all that is right!
*Unless you specify otherwise, comments and questions you ask may be featured in upcoming podcast episodes.
[1] Daniel Henderson, “Danielisms for Daily Living,” Strategic Renewal, accessed November 25, 2024, https://www.strategicrenewal.com/danielisms-daily-living/.
[2]N. T. Wright, Paul for Everyone Galatians and Thessalonians, vol. 13 of Accordance electronic ed. (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011), 152.
[3] 2 Thessalonians 2:17 CSB
