Opportunities to do good sometimes literally lie by the wayside. And it is important that we make use of them. Thoughts on our annual motto by District Apostle Rüdiger Krause (Northern and Eastern Germany).
Our Chief Apostle has issued the motto “It’s time to do good!” for this year. I am sure that we are constantly reminded of this motto and almost feel compelled to do good to our neighbour. The situations in which we can do good are often not of our own making. Much can be planned, but it is also important that we recognise situations and act spontaneously to any promptings of the Spirit of God.
A certain lawyer spoke to Jesus and wanted to know from Him what he must do to inherit eternal life. Scripture tells us that the lawyer wanted to test Jesus with this question. Jesus answered with a simple question, “What is written in the law?” The lawyer knew about the dual commandment of love and even referred to it. Jesus confirmed His answer. But the lawyer would not let up and asked, “And who is my neighbour?” At this point, Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25–37).
I am sure that the Lord Jesus deliberately did not give the Samaritan in the parable a name because He wanted it to resonate with everybody. It says in the Scriptures that the Samaritan helped the man who had fallen among the thieves. They had left him half dead. “When he saw him, he had compassion” (verse 33). He allowed Himself to be held up and went to the man. He tended to the man’s wounds, took him to an inn, and took care of him. He gave the innkeeper money to look after him and even promised to settle any remaining debt on his way back.
Granted, this is an extreme situation. What is decisive, however, is that the Good Samaritan took the time to stop. If we want to do good, we must be prepared to stop.
We often have good thoughts about all the things we could do. “One should really …” is a phrase we have certainly all used at some point. Who is this “one”. That’s us, you and me. We must be careful that we don’t allow other things to prevent us from doing good and follow through with our plan—which can frequently be difficult and unpleasant for us. Doing good, and that is what I am trying to say, is often exhausting.
The Chief Apostle said that it is important for Jesus what we do for His sisters and brothers. He referred to the well-known Bible passage: “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25: 40). Taking time to do good is therefore a service to our Lord Jesus Christ.
I cannot possibly even begin to list even a few examples of what we mean by “good” in the spirit of our motto. We all have the gift of the Holy Spirit and can quickly sense and recognise what is good and when to act.