But we should not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap, if we do not faint. Galatians 6:9

In Due Time – We want to do good.  It’s part of the natural expression of Christ within.  Goodness is an essential attribute of the character of God, so those who have His spirit are going to gravitate toward doing good.  But it is worthwhile to examine this natural tendency.  A little reflection will help us steer in God’s direction sooner rather than later.

What does it mean to do good?  The first thing we must recognize from a biblical perspective is that God determines what is good.  All that is noble and right and just in our eyes is not necessarily good in His eyes.  Outward appearances may not contain the spirit of righteousness.  No matter how many of the commandments we keep, there is still the question of motivation.  We may still go away sorrowful because we have much at stake.  To do good is first to enter into a serious examination of the heart.  A fearless moral inventory is itself “doing good” because it prepares us for intentional righteousness.  This is step number one.

Having examined our true motives, having put aside those subtle self-satisfying agendas, having recognized when our willingness is actually disguised pride, we are ready for the second step:  defining what is good.  Of course, the definition of goodness cannot come from our own understanding.  Our understanding is the problem.  It is filled with second thoughts, personal justifications and religious rationalizations.  We must turn to an outside authority – to the instructions from a reliable, trustworthy source.  We could start with Torah.  After all, God knows what is good.  Why not listen to Him?  To fulfill the mitzvot of Torah is doing good.  Each and every one of them renews the spirit within and brings the delight of honoring the Father.  Wonderfully, God has provided daily instructions.  You might not be able to feed the poor in Haiti today.  You might not be able to sit with a cancer victim in the hospital tonight.  But you can follow Torah and in doing so, you bring intentional righteousness into the world.  And God smiles.

Finally, for now, we must recognize that a great deal of “good” things are granted that status by human systems.  So, it’s good to go to church.  It’s good to tithe.  It’s good to be civil toward others.  And while there is nothing essentially wrong with any of these actions (and hundreds of others), they might not be what the Bible considers good.  You see, the Bible puts emphasis on God’s evaluation of goodness.  It is not interested in the contemporary version of the smoke of offerings.  God wants humble hearts and obedient hands, lips that serve and minds that delight in Him.  Besides, how can upholding “good” traditions that violate Torah instructions be good in God’s eyes?  Biblical descriptions of doing good are pretty clear.  Substitutions are usually not allowed.

“In due time” says Paul.  The Greek is a bit odd.  Kairon idio is literally “in the pregnant moment of its own.”  This is also essential to meditating on doing good, for kairon idio is unpredictable.  “In due time” is impossible to plan.  It is God’s intervening moment, not our flow-chart conclusion.  When do we stop doing good?  When God arrives to redirect our efforts.  Until then, we work as if He will never arrive and we wait as if He will come in the next second.

Doing good is the call of every follower.  It is the role of God’s priest in the world of darkness.  The particulars of the assignment have been articulated by the Sender.  The mission is clear.  Every action counts.  The only task ahead is to not grow weary until kairon idio arrives.

Topical Index:  in due time, kairon idio, doing good, Torah, Galatians 6:9