SEEK THE GOOD OF EVERYONE
Galatians 6:9-10 Let
us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a
harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good
to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
The
Lord commands us to do good to all men without exception, though the majority
are very undeserving when judged according to their own merits. But Scripture
here helps us out with an excellent argument when it teaches us that we must
not think of man’s real value, but only of his creation in the image of God to
which we owe all possible honor and love. The image of God, moreover, is most
carefully to be regarded in those who are of the household of faith, because it
has been renewed and restored in them by the Spirit of Christ.
If
anyone, therefore, appears before you who are in need of your kind services,
you have no reason to refuse him your help. Suppose he is a stranger; yet the
Lord has pressed his own stamp on him. Suppose he is despicable and worthless;
yet the Lord has adorned him with His own image. If he has deserved no
kindness, but just the opposite, because he has angered you with his insults,
even this is no reason why you should not show him all sorts of favors.
You
may say that he has deserved a very different treatment, but what does the Lord
command but to forgive all men their offenses, and to charge them all against
Him.
Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life, By John
Calvin, pgs. 32-35.
