What Good Have You Done Today?

(2 Thessalonians 3:13-18)

As I was reading this scripture that ends the second letter of Paul to the Thessalonians, it occurred to me to consider the question, what good have you done today?

The scripture begins with the words, “Brethren, do not be weary in well-doing,” and well-doing is about doing what is good, honourable, and right.

At the same time I read some stuff on Facebook and it concerned me that there is so much being written, especially concerning the global COVID-19 crisis, that is not “well-doing.” Which made me really consider, as all Christians should do, what good have you done today?

It’s easy to criticise

Anyone can be a critic. As you read the stuff on social media that is obvious.

There is a fine line between being critical for the sake of criticism, and being critical for the sake of helping to improve a situation.

The majority of what I see on Facebook, especially about COVID-19 is of the first type. Criticism to drive anger, anxiety, fear, despair, hate, and so much more. And it’s easy to be that person and say those things.

It is a lot harder to be critical for the purpose of providing a way forward to try and help a situation. And that provokes me to consider: What good have you done today?

Doing something versus doing nothing

Typical of the criticism we see is the denouncement of those who are trying to do something. They criticise because it isn’t what they want to see, but they don’t offer any alternative solutions.

It is better to be doing something than to do nothing, even if what we are doing is not exactly right. Doing something says there is motion and movement forward. Doing something gives a sense of hope and a direction towards a goal.

Even if we don’t agree with the methods being employed, if the goal is good and right, then doing something is better than doing nothing. And if it is an attempt to respond to the question, what good have you done today, then it is the right thing to do.

Those who are doing nothing but throwing criticisms and barbs from the sidelines are not helping anyone. In fact they make the situation worse because their whole effort just stirs up a hornets nest, is divisive, and leads to conflict and arguments.

What good have you done today?

Scripture tells us that the Lord’s servant, and that’s you and me, should not be divisive and argumentative.

23 Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one, an apt teacher, forbearing, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, 26 and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:23-26)

Consider these words in conjunction with the words of the scripture today that speaks about, “Do not be weary in well-doing.” Much of what is written on social media, including some by Christians, is just people being critical of others.

Instead we ought to focus on how we can help our brethren, and anyone else for that matter, by doing good. We need to consider not how to sling mud at others, but seek to do good by “well-doing” and so fulfil the purpose of our call to Christ to love one another.

To do otherwise is not walking in love, and it is only by walking in love that we can move forward in hope.

People are not the enemy

There is another point in the scripture today that needs to be considered as well. The whole scripture says this:

13 Brethren, do not be weary in well-doing. 14 If any one refuses to obey what we say in this letter, note that man, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not look on him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. 16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all. 17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. (2 Thessalonians 3:13-18)

Paul writes in verse 15 not to look at those who reject and oppose what is good as enemies. He just says to separate yourself from them.

One who is critical and throwing criticisms at others, and especially when they don’t have a better solution, are simply troublemakers. They are sowing seeds of rebellion and dissension and are not being helpful at all.

But they are not the enemy.

Sure, have nothing to do with them because you have been called to peace and they are not promoting peace, but are promoting dissension. But still, they are not the enemy.

The real enemy

The true enemy is the devil, and sadly those who are slinging mud and stirring up strife are doing the will of the real enemy. Yes, even Christians get caught by the devil to do his will without realising it.

So, what good have you done today? Anything you do that opposes the real enemy is a good thing. We are called to resist the devil and he will flee from us.

So, do not get caught up in his wily traps. Resist him and seek God instead, seeking to always do good in God’s sight.

Do good at all times

In our call as Christians we are to do good at all times. Seek out what is good and shy away from all the evil.

As the scripture I quoted above from 2 Timothy 2 says, stay away from the useless and pointless controversies. They are designed to take your mind off Christ and to focus on the works of the devil. The devil wants you thinking about anything rather than your salvation and walk with Christ.

Don’t give in to his demands. Resist the devil and seek the truth. Seek instead to answer the question: What good have you done today?

In the end of of the controversies lead to nothing and just create dissensions, fear, hostility, and in the case of COVID, fear and despair. What good is any of that?

Keep your eyes focused on Jesus and doing what He says is right. Be strong in well-doing, not the controversies of lies, damn lies, and statistics, that so many are banging on about today.

Those things lead to death. But Jesus wants to lead us to life so seek His life and forget the rest.

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