Bible Study

The Gift of Eternal Life Berean Bible Study Course

Part II--The Process Of Reconciliation With God

F. Lesson 12--We Must Be Faithful In Serving The Lord

17. READ: GALATIANS 6:7-10

f. Who must we do good to?

Answer: Christians must do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers, (verse 10).

MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

• Concerning doing good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers:

Proverbs 3:27-30: "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow'--when you now have it with you. Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. Do not accuse a man for no reason--when he has done you no harm."

Luke 6:38: [Jesus said,] "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Acts 4:32-35: "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need."

Romans 12:20-21: "On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

• The good a Christian does accompanies his faith. Our good works are done to glorify God. They are not a testimony of "self righteousness" so that we may be seen and praised by men. They are performed because when we truly conform ourselves to Christ (become like Him), we can't help but do good for the Lord. Our good work for the Lord also produces the result that men will see God in us, praise Him and perhaps be drawn to repentance. The Christian who proclaims a faith in Christ but who then does no good work for the Lord will soon be the holder of a dead faith:

James 2:14-17: "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."