Why Do Good?
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, especially those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10
The Christmas season is a good time to practice doing good. One reason is our gratitude for what God has done for us. Because of Jesus Christ, we have been included among the people of God. In Luke 1:33, the angel Gabriel said to Mary that her son would reign over the “house of Jacob” forever. Notice that he did not say he would reign over the nation of Israel but the house of Jacob. What is the house of Jacob? It is all those who live with faith, as did Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is not just those born naturally into the Jewish race, but all those who are true descendants of God. In Jesus Christ, God has made the house of Jacob become the universal church. We, as the church, are the people over whom Christ will reign forever.
As Christians, we are called to do good to others. This is not meant to be a burdensome duty and obligation, but a natural outgrowth of our faith and gratitude. A Christian cannot help but do good works because the Holy Spirit inside us compels us. We have been touched by the love of God, and for that reason, we must share his love with others. We have been given much; for that reason, we wish to give much in return. Paul says in Galatians that we should do good to everyone, as we have opportunity. This recognizes that opportunities for good meet us every day. We should keep our eyes open to them.
In A Christmas Carol, Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, affirms that the Christmas season encourages us to generosity and good deeds. In his conversation with his Uncle Scrooge, Fred says:
“There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say,” returned the nephew. “Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round—apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that – as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!”
As we do good in this Christmas season, let us recognize that we do so in the name of Christ and because of his love. It is not just the general good feelings that should motivate us but the love of God. He has done good to us. Let us honor him by doing good to those around us.