Do Good to All
Galatians 6.9-10
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Introduction
Freedom is God's gift to us. Freedom is the forgiveness of sins in Christ. As we believe and do good, that freedom is preserved and given to others. John F. Kennedy was the youngest American elected to the office of president. On January 20, 1961 he gave his inaugural speech* to set out his goals. He boldly stated that the rights of man come from the hand of God not from the state. He said we would pay any price to assure the survival of liberty. He called our country to confront the problems of tyranny, poverty, disease and war. He famously said: "My fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country." He concluded by appealing to God's blessing and help, "knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own." What is God's blessing? What is God's help? And what is God's work that must truly be our own? The Bible beautifully answers all those questions, and shows us how the Christian life is exactly the life that every country on earth needs.
Faith and Freedom
God created all human beings to live and to thrive. He wanted Adam and Eve and all their decendents to “be fruitful and multiply.” He also wanted them to fear, love and trust in Him. In this way they would always have His blessings and do well in life. But sin breaks the bond between God and men. As soon as this bond is broken, men begin to try to dominate other men and to control them. Just as they refuse to love God, so they refuse to love their neighbor as themselves. This is the beginning of tyranny, and it takes at least two forms. First, there is material tyranny. Egypt enslaved Israel and forced them to labor until Moses led them to freedom. The Midianites plundered Israel until they were stopped by Gideon. Material tyranny robs people of their livelihood or life itself. The second, which often goes along with the first, is spiritual tyranny. This is a forced system of belief and worship. Daniel was forced to worship an idol and was thrown into a den of lions for refusing. Peter and John were put in prison for preaching in the name of Jesus. Spiritual tyranny robs a person or people of their conscience and faith. Why do these kinds of evil happen in this world?
Let me answer with a parable: A farmer once bought a herd of cows. They were not very healthy and had not been cared for in the past. He gave them food, water and good bedding until they regained their health and strength. But as they regained their strength a couple of the cows began bullying the other cows. They tried to get more of the food that the farmer gave to all of them. They deliberately butted and kicked the other cows in order to subject them to their own will. The farmer didn’t appreciate this because he wanted all the cows to thrive, not just a few who decided they would dominate all the others. Therefore the farmer had to ship these bullies off to the butcher.
Tyranny arises when men deny God's rule over them. They write their own rules for their own benefit. God told Israel that their kings must read the Bible all the days of their lives so that they would fear the LORD and "not lift up their hearts above their brothers" (Deuteronomy 17.19-20). This command applies to all of us at every level. Jesus taught us not to "lord it over" each other but to be servants to one another (Mark 10.42-44). A pastor, an employer, a father, a mother, a brother, a sister, a friend -- must all treat others as God wants them to be treated.
Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians to teach them that freedom is founded upon a loving relationship with God which is brought about through His mercy and the forgiveness of sins. Whenever we turn from this gospel, we deny our sin, become dominated by it, and inevitably begin to tyrannize each other. False teachers had come to the Galatians telling them that a good relationship with God must be achieved by obeying the Law. Humility, repentance, and forgiveness were being replaced by self-righteousness and pride. In chapter five Paul said, "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit to a yoke of salvery” (5.1). The "yoke of slavery" is the denial of the gospel of forgiveness. As soon as this happens sin comes back to dominate our lives. As soon as we stop praying, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us," we are no longer delivered from evil but instead ruled by it. If you really want freedom, focus on forgiveness.
Freedom for All
Just as we do not want to suffer the tyranny of sin in our hearts, so also we do not want to suffer the tyranny of others around us and especially of our leaders. What God does for us in our own hearts doesn't stop there. It is meant to spread and to benefit others. Our freedom in Christ is the freedom that God wants for all. President Kennedy said that one of the goals of his presidency was to fight against tyranny. He said he would do it with God's blessing, God's help, and "knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own." What is God's work that we do to push back against tyranny? Paul also addresses this very thing in Galatians.
It is found toward the end of his letter. Having explained that sin is the beginning of all slavery, and that Christ has ransomed us from this slavery in His own life, death and resurrrection, now he also mentions the importance of simply doing good: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6.9-10).
First, God wants us to believe this faith and hold onto to it a thousand people call us evil for doing so. At the beginning of the letter Paul said, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed" (1.8). Jesus warned us not to follow false prophets, "who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7.15). Those who teach any other kind of "liberty" are setting us up for tyranny, and we must resist.
Second, if people are to find freedom through the forgiveness of sins, it is important that they hear the message of repentance and forgiveness in Christ. Not long ago Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the "Duck Dynasty" family died. Several years ago I read the story of his conversion to Christ. Phil described the point of his conversion by simply saying "When I came to repentance..." Matthew and Mark both summarize Jesus' preaching with one sentence: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4.17). One of the best ways to share the gospel with people is simply to describe what the gospel has done for you. "I have been brought to repentance. I have believed in the forgiveness of Jesus. I am free from the bondage of sin." That is the simple message that the world needs to hear because that is the message that will put them on the course of true freedom.
Those who tyrannize others will do all that they can to turn us from our faith in Christ. They will do all they can to suppress the teaching of the gospel. But the one thing they have the most trouble suppressing are the good works of faith. This is why Paul concluded his teaching to the Galatians about freedom with the importance of good works. This is what President Kennedy meant by God's work being our work. Peter urged us “Have your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good works and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2.12). Good works do not cause us to be saved. It was the good work of Christ that did that. Nevertheless our good works done by faith have a way of opening the eyes of the lost to see Christ in us and to hear the word of Christ that they would otherwise reject. We may work for an unbelieving person. But when we do a good job, it gets noticed. It can’t be denied. Your neighbor may not like your faith, but when you help them and make their life a little easier they will see that your beliefs have a good outcome. When someone says something ugly and unkind to you but you do not retaliate with the same thing, they notice. It is true that some, those who are very hardened against God, may only be angered by good works done in faith. But there are many who God still wants to call. He calls them through us as they see us holding steadfast in our faith – even suffering for it, telling them what that faith is, and showing them the good that comes from that faith.
Conclusion
On this fourth of July weekend you might do some nice patriotic things like say the Pledge of Allegiance, read the Constitution and Bill of Rights, listen to patriotic music, watch fireworks, or even pay your property taxes. But one of the best things you can do for the sake of freedom is to believe in the true God, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit – to the God of forgiveness and salvation. Sharing Christ's repentance and forgiveness with others, begining with your own household, spreads the true freedom of faith. Finally, doing good to all, whether friend or foe, points sinners to God that they might glorify Him. May God bless America and every country with many Christians who do this work of God. Amen.
*John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Speech, January 20, 1961
Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, Reverend Clergy, fellow citizens:
We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom--symbolizing an end as well as a beginning--signifying renewal as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forbears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.
The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe--the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.
We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans--born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage--and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
This much we pledge--and more.
To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided there is little we can do--for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.
To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom--and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.
To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required--not because the communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.
To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge--to convert our good words into good deeds--in a new alliance for progress--to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.
To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support--to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective--to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak--and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.
Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.
We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.
But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course--both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind's final war.
So let us begin anew--remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.
Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms--and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.
Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths and encourage the arts and commerce.
Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah--to "undo the heavy burdens . . . (and) let the oppressed go free."
And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.
All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.
Now the trumpet summons us again--not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need--not as a call to battle, though embattled we are-- but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"--a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself.
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility--I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it--and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.
