“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:1–10)

Most of us are quick to point out sins of others. Especially if they sin differently than we do. Are we as quick to do good to others? Do we as readily carry their burdens? Anyone who has tried to get volunteers knows that folks easily come up with all kinds of reasons and excuses for NOT volunteering.

The truth of the matter is that we are usually more concerned with our own wants and desires than we are with the needs of others. That is our old sinful self telling us to “watch out for number one.”  But if you think about it, number one should be Jesus, not yourself. And his instructions were very clear.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37–39)

If you love God above everything and your neighbor as yourself, you will be concerned about their needs and wants and desires.

Earlier this week I came across some videos of a guy in Kansas who spends his evenings and weekends mowing and cleaning up yards for people who need it. He does this free of charge. He looks for and finds ways to use what he has to help his neighbors.

What are the gift and talents and abilities God has given you? How can you use them to “do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

And let’s remember why we do this. As followers of Jesus, we know without a doubt that we have forgiveness. We have eternal life, which has already started. His death and resurrection certainly have eternal implications for us, but they also have implications for us here and now. Because we know what Jesus has done for us, we live each day with the confidence of our status as redeemed children of God. We are His. Nothing can snatch us out of His hand. That joyful confidence should be evident in the way we live, the way we treat our neighbors. Luther urged us to let the “new man … daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.”

The life we live in response to knowing we are God’s dearly loved and forgiven children should be different.  Let us not become weary in doing good.