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Bible Study notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (2-9-1981 Strandtown Baptist Church)
The church at Thessalonica, as we have seen, gave Paul much trouble. Much time is spent in the two letters dealing with these problems. Now Paul turns to the rest of the brethren in the church, and encourages them, Never tire of doing what is right.
In this sentence we have a summary of Christian life. It
is a life of well doing. This is a very comprehensive term. Paul is not merely
referring to the preaching of the Word and meetings. It includes the common acts
of daily life, the means whereby we gain our daily bread. In everything we
should be seeking to serve God. In the common tasks of home – cleaning,
tidying, feeding the family, attending to everyday work. Doing all the good we
can, in all the ways we can, by all the means we can. Showing kind and tender
consideration to all in need.
Well-doing includes our love for God, our dedication to Him, and our obedience to His will, always doing what He bids us. We are doing what is right when we act out of love for God and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the strength which He provides.
It is possible for a Christian
to grow weary of always doing what is right, hence this command. Paul makes a
similar command to the Galatians, Let us not become weary in doing good, for
at the proper time we reap a harvest and we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).
We should not grow weary, out of
gratitude to those whom we serve. We are to do good to others, and not be
seeking to help ourselves. Sometimes we find ourselves becoming critical and
faultfinding of those whom we serve, and are tempted to feel they are unworthy
of our service. (N.B. Occasionally it may be fitting to say something, rather
than encouraging laziness or ingratitude in the other person) When we find
ourselves thinking like this, we must pause to remember how unworthy we are in
the light of God’s gifts.
What about when we are involved
in Christian work and ministry, and nobody responds? It may be tempting to give
up. But we are not to work on the condition that there is a response, but
because we are commanded and constrained to. (N.B. There is a point where we are
not to “cast pearls before swine”, and therefore it is better to work in
another sphere – but under no circumstances to give up.)
Then we can easily get
discouraged about the state of the church, at how few Christians actually bother
to exert themselves. So we wonder why we should bother, if no one else seems to
think it is necessary, why should we put ourselves out? We must remember that if
God wants us to do something, we must do it, and not be weary of doing the right
thing, even if there is general criticism and discouragement from those who look
on. Never mind what men think of us. We are not their servants and are not
answerable to them.
“Some
will hate thee, some will love thee,
Some
will flatter, some will slight.
Cease
from man and look above thee.
Trust
in God and do the right”
“Man
heed thee, love thee, praise thee not.
The
master praises – what are men?”
(H.
Bonar)
Then there is the pull of the flesh and the whisper of the Devil, who is bent on constantly keeping us out of the will and purpose of God. Time and again we see Satanic influences behind many ideas of giving up and throwing in the towel. All the more reason to never tire and give up doing what is right.
Consider the energy and effort we are prepared to put
into our own advancement in terms of our careers, making a fortune, getting the
things we want, making our business prosper. How dare we consider being less
persistent in our service of God, who is the giver of all things?
We do well to remember with
gratitude that Christ never got weary of doing right as far as our salvation is
concerned. Our ingratitude and unworthiness did not deter Him from going to the
ultimate lengths in order to rescue us.
We must see our lives and our
service as part of God’s will and plan for us. He is carrying out His
programme through us, and He can see the end from the beginning. If we are in
His will, and He has put us there, He must have a purpose of blessing which we
cannot see now, but will one day be revealed.
We all know people who worked to
win us for Christ. They may have died thinking their efforts were in vain for
they did not live to see the fruit of their labours, and yet throughout their
lives they never gave up.
Resources are given to us to
keep us on the path and keep us persisting to the end. He gives strength to
the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their
strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:29-31). God has the power to
change us, to revive us and make us flourish. He gives vigour, power and
ability.
The prayer of Sir Francis Drake: “O Lord God, when thou givest to thy servants to endeavour a very great matter, grant us also to know that it is not the beginning but the continuing of the same unto the end, until it be thoroughly finished, which yieldeth the true glory; through Him who for the finishing of Thy work laid down His life, O Redeemer Jesus Christ.”
Never tire of doing what is right. Has that been you lately? Grumbling and discouraged? Ask for His forgiveness, and buckle on the armour anew. Whatever service He asks of us, He will give us the strength to do it if we ask Him. Keep your eyes fixed on Him who did not weary of doing right for you. Keep on keeping on. Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).
