DEVOTION – DAY 557

Galatians 6:10 “Doing Good”

Galatians 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Doing good to all people is the main theme of Galatians 6. In his letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul wanted fellow Christians to know that because they have been saved from judgment for their sins by the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross on their behalf, they are now free to live lives worthy of the Lord. This includes doing good to all people especially to fellow believers.

We know a couple who is committed to help all people regardless of race or religion. In addition, they are also keen to help fellow believers who face financial difficulties. They set up a fund that could be used to help people who had suffered losses due to flood disasters, to provide basic groceries to people who may have lost their jobs, to provide scholarships to needy and deserving children and so on. 

We know of others who donate their time each week to help prepare food for soup kitchens that distribute free food to the homeless people in Kuala Lumpur. For the homeless people, it is probably their main meal for that day. We know of others who devote their time to collect and distribute food and provisions to Orang Asli people living in outlying areas. They are often overlooked by Social Services officials. We thank God that there are people who responded God’s call to do good to all people.

Nobu Jo was the daughter of a doctor and she studied in a Christian mission school in Matsuyama, Japan. She later became a Christian and devoted much of her life to doing good and helping people. She became the founder of Kobe Woman’s Welfare Association, a ministry that was focused on helping women who suffered from domestic violence. She provided a safe refuge for women who sought a safe place from their abusive husbands. She helped arrange education, employment, housing, travel and childcare for women in need. She also provided spiritual guidance and counselling. She also implemented well-lit signs at railway stations and bridges to alert people who may be contemplating suicide to seek help instead. The signs advised suicidal people to stop, wait and seek her help. Through these well-placed signs, it was credited that thousands of people were prevented from committing suicide when they had more time to reflect upon their moments of despair. Nobu Jo was an example of someone who wanted to devote herself to doing good and helping others. Her life was a life well-lived.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, just as you are a good God, please help us to follow your example by wanting to do good to others, and to lay treasures in heaven for your glory. We humbly pray in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. What are some ways you can do good to others, whether they are people you know from church, or people you know ate work or in your family or neighborhood? 
  2. Why is it important that we do good to others? Discuss.
  3. How has your good works in the past helped others? Share.
  4. What new areas can you start to help someone this week?