Why do you do what you do?   And how do you do it?   The Bible calls us to do good to others.   For example, we read:  "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."  (1 Tim. 6:18)    As Christians we are to "abound in every good work."  (2 Cor. 9:8)   This is what God created us to do:  good works (Eph. 2:10)   This is all an outworking of Jesus' command to "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)   Doing good and loving one another.

How is this all going?   Doing good and loving people?   I must admit that at times it is not easy.  People can difficult.   And unappreciative.   Ministry in and through the church can be challenging.   Sharing the good news with others often is met with little receptivity, and at times with hostility.   This doing good and loving others is costly.   In time, in money, in energy.   And yet to this we are called.

For years I have been doing all of this, as a Christian, as a pastor.   For as long as I remember.   In the early years I did all of these things out of a sense of duty!   Is this not what Jesus commands us to do?   So I better do it.  I want to be an obedient follower.  And in one sense, when we done all that Christ commands, "we should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" (Luke 17:10)

But is that why we obey Jesus, serve him in ministry, and do good to others?   Suppose my wife asks me, "Why do you love me and do so many good things for me?"   I could reply, "Well, dear, I am just doing my duty - being a dutiful husband!"  But I don't think that would go over well with her.   A better response would be, "Well, dear, I love being with you, spending time with you, and it simply gives me so much joy doing things for you and treating you well!"

I remind myself often that the Christian life and ministry is not to be done out of a sense of duty, but a sense of joy.   I tend to approach all that Christ commands with enthusiasm and eagerness.   This response comes out of a realisation of what Christ has done for me and for all people.  So writes the apostle Paul:   "The grace of God ... teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:11-14)   Eager to do what is good!   Gripped by God's amazing grace we love and do good to others joyfully and eagerly, not reluctantly or with regret.   When we think of all that Jesus did for us, and when we think that one day we will be in his presence, we just don't do good works, but we are filled with zeal, full of joy, eager to do what is good!

As churches we are all about reaching the lost for Christ!  Let us do this work of the gospel not out of sense of duty, but with eagerness, enthusiasm, and great zeal.  And if you find this difficult--perhaps you do not fully understand the good news of Christ or, worse, you do not actually believe the message of salvation. Can I encourage you to consider all that Jesus has done for you?  Meditate on his good work of redemption - for you!   And gripped by God's grace, may you also be eager to do what is good!