One Wednesday during Lent, just as we were starting our Lenten meal, a young man showed up at our church and asked to speak with the pastor. He smelled awful, and people were reacting accordingly, but I took him into a room, sat down with him, and spent about ten minutes listening to his tale of woe. I tried to show him kindness and concern, including inviting him to eat with us that night. However, when he realized that I wasn’t going give him any cash, he started cursing at me, ridiculed me, and walked out the door.

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Like so much of Scripture, this is easier said than done.  “As we have opportunity…”  The reality is that we have the opportunity every day, but we fail to act on those chances. It is so much easier to be concerned about a stranger on the news who lost his home to a fire than it is to say a kind word about a fellow believer with whom you’ve gotten crossways! That’s not right! That is not the life to which you have been called.

Think about those in the household of faith to which you belong: How are you showing your commitment to other parts of the body of Christ? Do you want the opportunity to do good for others in your family of believers?

Consider the Shut-ins/Elderly/Handicapped. How much of your time would it take to visit them every other week, or at least call them on the phone or drop them a note?

Consider those who are Single/Divorced/Widowed – do you make efforts to include them in activities where they might not feel welcome? Is there something special you can do for them?

Consider the Youth of your congregation. Do you ever notice them? If so, have you ever spoken to them? A number of years ago when I had that call to another congregation, one of the members of the Youth Group said to Cheryl: “You and Pastor can’t leave. You’re the only ones who talk to us here.” Whether that was true or not, that was this young person’s perception. “Doing good” to the Youth may take nothing more than noticing them, speaking to them, and respecting them as fellow members of your congregation.

Let us do good to all people. I imagine if you think about what this says and take it seriously, it can seem like an overwhelming job – do good to all people, especially believers. With all that God calls you to do, it can seem like the boy who went door to door selling twenty-five-cent pencils to raise money for a $30 million hospital. One woman challenged him saying, “That’s a big job for one kid selling pencils for a quarter!” He replied, “It’s not me alone. See that boy over there? He’s my partner. We’re doing this together!” You should take heart that you are not alone. You have other believers that are to help and assist you in showing care and concern, doing good to others, especially other believers.

Not only that, but you have a God who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32). He will give you the help and strength and encouragement that you need to live a life that is committed to others. That commitment comes from knowing the commitment Jesus made, one that led Him to the cross in your place.