15 & 16 Nov 2025 (Pastoral Page) KEEP ON DOING GOOD

by Asst Ps Elaine Ng

In his sermon entitled Ready for the King (1 & 2 Nov), Ps Beh explained to us that as we wait for the return of Jesus, we should

(a) be actively watchful (Matt 24:36-44, 25:1-13),

(b) be faithful in investing what our Master has given us for His mission and the Kingdom, and

(c) do good because we are His people (Matt 25:31-46).

On this third point, he reminded us that doing good works does not and cannot save us. But by not doing good works, we can never be sure if a person is saved. Good works are the fruit of one’s life, the evidence if you are saved. Ps Beh also quoted from Galatians 6:10 to urge us, as we have opportunity, to do good to all people especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6 is the last chapter of a letter written by the apostle Paul to the churches in Galatia. Briefly, Paul was writing to them to counter what some Jewish agitators had been telling them, that it was not enough to believe in the Gospel preached by Paul. They needed to obey certain Jewish laws such as circumcision. Paul reminded them that crucially, it is by faith in Jesus Christ that they have been saved and rescued from the evil of this present age (Gal 1:3). Their faith and belief in Christ’s life, death and resurrection is enough. There is no need to add on the requirements of the old law and Jewish traditions. By faith, Jesus has given them His Spirit and they are children of God. The thing that counts is not circumcision (or legalism). The thing that really counts is faith expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:4). That includes serving one another humbly in love (Gal 5:13). “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal 5:14).

Those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ are to walk by the Spirit. That is, we are to be led by the Spirit, live by the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit. In doing so, we will grow in Christ and exhibit the fruit of the spirit. In Galatians 6, Paul goes on to set out some of the good that the believers can do e.g. restore a brother gently (v1), carry one another’s burden (v3).

Therefore, as His followers, let us do good in response to what Jesus has done for us on the Cross, to follow what He did and to do the good that He wants us to do. Galatians 6:9-10 tells us not to grow weary of doing good and as we have opportunity, we are to do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

However, living for others, serving others doesn’t come naturally to any of us. The default inclination of my heart—and I venture many of our hearts—is toward self-centredness. Paul thus gives us this rousing command. Let us not become weary in doing good! The problem with doing good is that we can become tired or discouraged. Doing good can also appear to be a thankless task, as very often we don’t see the reward that we desire, particularly in the short term.

So Paul uses a sowing and reaping example to encourage readers to persevere in doing good. Just as a farmer needs to sow seeds and then wait, we need to keep sowing with perseverance and faith. If we plant a mango seed, surely, we can’t expect a durian tree to result. Neither should we be expecting a fully grown mango tree by tomorrow or even in a week. But the harvest will come.

Jesus knew what it was to be tired, to be weary, and He looked forward to His ultimate reward. He kept going on doing good. He did not do good to gain the love of His Father but He did it out of the love of His Father. We have a Savior who understands what it is to feel weary in doing good and yet who keeps on going. He also showed us that we need to depend on and rest in the love of His Father. He left us His Spirit to guide and empower us. Jesus is our model and our strength. The harvest is coming. So don’t quit, rest if you must, and keep on doing good as we ready ourselves for the return of the King.