Altar
Call – Opelika – Auburn News
Walter
Albritton
September
7, 2014
Do all the good you can
I have been a Methodist all my life. And all my life I have
treasured this quotation from John Wesley, the founder of Methodism:
“Do
all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all
the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as
long as ever you can.”
Imagine
my surprise to learn recently that John Wesley did not say that. One of our
respected Wesleyan scholars insists that you cannot find that statement
anywhere in Wesley’s writings.
I will take the good scholar’s word for
that. But though the statement may have been erroneously attributed to Wesley,
it is still an excellent piece of advice – especially for those who follow
Jesus.
When we truly belong to Jesus, we do our best to follow the
example of our Lord. And the Bible says Jesus “went about doing good.”
Instead of looking out for their own interests, Christ followers
will constantly look for people they can help – physically, emotionally or
spiritually. Sometimes the help people need is a listening ear and a caring
heart. Sometimes it is a word of encouragement. At other times it may be a
month’s rent when a person on a fixed income has been overwhelmed by medical
expenses.
Saint Paul understood that you can become weary serving others. Even
the noblest Christians can become exhausted in “doing good.” However, Paul has
no sympathy for us. His remedy when we are tempted by weariness: resist it!
Refuse to be discouraged! “Do
not grow weary in doing what is right”! He reminds us that there is a reward
for faithfulness: if we do not give up, we shall reap a harvest because God is
faithful!
Ultimately there are only two ways to live. One is the way of the
flesh that leads to death. The other is the way of the Spirit that leads to
life. One is the way of selfishness, the other the way of love. In the end,
love wins. Schuyler Colfax, Vice-Present under President Grant, understood
this:
“Man derives his greatest happiness not by that which he does for
himself, but by what he accomplishes for others. This is a sad world at best –
a world of sorrow, of suffering, of injustice, and falsification. Men stab
those whom they hate with the stiletto of slander. But it is for the followers
of our Lord to improve it, and to make it more as Christ would have it. The
most precious crown of fame that a human being can ask is to kneel at the bar
of God and hear the beautiful words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’” He
was right.
The words on an old plaque in an antique store say it all: “Only
one life, twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”
I reckon trying to live like Jesus lived is about the best way to
live. Though it is impossible to do it perfectly, we can try. And when we make
the effort unseen hands will help us. + + +