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Keep Doing Good



In these times it can be tempting  to question the Lord’s path. Much like thePsalmist we may find ourselves saying, “For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.” (Psalm 73:3). We as Christians find ourselves befuddled, why do the wicked prosper and the good suffer punishment in this life? Well the answer has eternal significance.  Contrary to the prosperity doctrine taught in Western Christendom, persecution not prosperity is the normal  outcome of following Christ. Many teachers have tried to divorce tribulation from the Christian faith, when Christ promised it, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (tribulations). But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). There is no promise of an end of trials until Jesus comes again, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4). 

An exchange happened between the Old and New Testament. In the Old, material prosperity was guaranteed if you did good (keep HGod’s commands) while eternal salvation was uncertain, in the New material wealth is uncertain but eternity is settled through faith and belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Son of God ( Philippians 3:9, Romans 10:9-10, John 3:16, 1 John 4:15). The New Covenant promises paradise, not here on earth but in the hereafter and when Jesus Returns. Until then we must endure persecution patiently, “This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus. ” (Revelation 14:12). 

Perhaps you feel exasperated. That for all the good you do you reap hardship and suffering. Maybe like Psalmist you envy the wicked’s prosperity.  To this I direct you to the words of Scripture: 

“For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:17) 

“How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.” (1 Peter 2:20) 

“So then, those who suffer according to God's will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” (1 Peter 4:19) 

There is wisdom in the words of the Apostle Peter. Better to suffer for doing godly works than evil deeds. But perhaps the apostle has a larger truth in mind, what if you live in a society that does not reward good but blesses evil? Then I urge Cephas is saying “better to suffer in this life for doing good in Christ’s name, than to suffer for evil in the inferno or at God’s Judgement seat because you abandoned His love, abandoned Him (John 6:66, Hebrews 6:4-6), and His sacrifice for your sins to be prosperous in this temporal (temporary) world with the wicked.” 

Let us not grow weary in good works, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest (eternal, souls)  if we do not give up [in the faith, see Matthew 24:10-13].” (Galatians 6:9). May we not shirk from living holy lives in Christ because it is uncomfortable, or leads us into persecution, for the apostle told us good shall receive ill from this world, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12). Instead keep your eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and endure (Matthew 24:13) and there will be a harvest that awaits us in heaven.  Christ alone saves us (Ephesians 2:8-8), but we must keep this faith in Jesus as our only Savior and propitiation,  and live out this faith in walking in His Way (John 14:6, John John 13:34-35). We do not get to hesven through doing good, Jesus and faith (trust) in Him is our passport into heaven. We do good works as outward sign or manifestation of the faith within us, and to bear witness to a broken world; “the only Jesus some will see is in you.” Amen.  



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