Answer: As we have opportunity, we are to do good to
all people, especially to those who belong to the family of
believers, (verse 10).
MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
The literal translation of "as we have opportunity, let
us do good" is "as we have occasion at any time, let us
keep on working the good deed." Think about that as we
consider the following:
If our Father is kind to the ungrateful and wicked, and
commands us to "do good to those who hate you," and
"love your enemies, do good to them," then how much
more are we obligated to do good "especially to those who
belong to the family of believers," much less "all
people?" Our doing of good is irrevocably linked to our
pleasing God, our possessing a living and active faith, our ability
to overcome evil, the fulfillment of the purpose for which we were
created in Christ Jesus, our taking hold of life which is truly
life, our love in action, our perseverance in obedience to the
Father, our showing that we are from God, and our eternal
destination, being that when we know to do good and fail to do so,
we sin:
Luke 6:27-36: [Jesus said,]
"But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to
those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who
mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to
him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him
from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if
anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do
to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those
who love you, what credit is that to you? Even
'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do
good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even
'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from
whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even
'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to
be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them,
and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your
reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High,
because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful,
just as your Father is merciful."
Romans 12:21: "Do not be overcome
by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Galatians 6:9: "Let us not become
weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest
if we do not give up."
Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God's
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God
prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:19: "Consequently, you
are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's
people and members of God's household..."
1 Timothy 6:17-19: "Command those
who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put
their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope
in God, Who richly provides us with everything for our
enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,
and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they
will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the
coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly
life."
Titus 2:11-14: "For the grace of
God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It 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 3:1-2: "Remind the people to
be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready
to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and
considerate, and to show true humility toward all
men."
Hebrews 13:16: "And do not forget
to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God
is pleased."
James 2:12-19, 26: "Speak and act
as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not
been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! What good is it,
my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can
such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without
clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go,
I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing
about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way,
faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have
deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will
show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one
God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder...As
the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is
dead."
James 4:17: "Anyone, then, who
knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it,
sins."
1 Peter 4:19: "So then, those who
suffer according to God's Will should commit themselves to their
faithful Creator and continue to do good."
1 John 3:16-18: "This is how we
know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we
ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has
material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity
on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let
us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in
Truth."
3 John 1:11: "Dear friend, do not
imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good
is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen
God."
