Weariness

There is a command, an encouragement, Paul gives to the churches. It is, I admit, one of those truths that I need to be constantly reminded of.
He reminded the church at Corinth of this truth. They were a group of Christians that were so obsessed with impressing others with how spiritual they were that Paul called their "spirituality" carnal--completely controlled by the fleshly--worldly--desire for self-recognition and the applause of men. There was no love for the Father in anything they did.
He reminded the churches in Galatia of this truth. They were a group of professing Christians who were struggling with the gospel by grace alone. They were leaning toward believing in a salvation that claimed the keeping of the law was necessary for redemption--that the willing, loving sacrifice of God's Beloved Son on the cross was insufficient to gain God's forgiveness. Paul called such a message Satanic, and those who believed it "foolish."
He reminded the church at Thessalonica of this truth. They were a group of Christians whose faithfulness in the face of great persecution filled Paul with joy. The good they were doing appeared to be powerless to change lives--to draw people to their Savior. But they continued to do good.
Three diverse groups of people, same reminder--challenge--encouragement: "Don't lose heart. Don't become weary of doing good."
The first group needed that reminder because nothing is more tiresome then trying to live the spiritual life in the flesh. Trying to be spiritual to impress men through my own efforts is debilitating. Since the love of self is the motivation and not the love of God and my neighbor, the heart-will to obey Him is soon a burden. Weary in doing well? Who are you trying to impress and whose strength are you relying on to do good? Living a weary, loveless life is deadly.
The second group needed to be reminded that doing good was not the means to obtain grace, to be immersed in God's love. We are saved by grace through faith to be His workmanship ordained to do good works. It is our calling not our means of salvation. It is His purpose for our live after His saves us. Doing good to earn God's love rather than doing good because you are already His beloved is also deadly. How wearisome is it to try to earn God's love rather than to express your love for Him and to others through doing the good that reveals to others His beautiful love?
The third group needed to be reminded because their doing good for others didn't seem to be making things any better; in fact, they were being persecuted for doing the good that pleased Him. Paul needed to remind them that the joy they experienced in the face of adversity flowed from their being the light of the world, from doing those things that glorified their Father in Heaven. To stop doing those good deeds would leave them joyless, without the strength to be genuine reflectors of His love--to each other in the body of Christ and even to their "enemies."

So I need the Spirit's reminder when the weariness sets in--and, at times, it does;

"Remember, you are not fulfilling your calling--doing good--in order to impress men with your spirituality.
"Remember you are not fulfilling your calling to earn God's love. His love for His own is inescapable. You are fulfilling your calling in order to bring joy to His heart--because you love Him.
"Remember, fulfilling your calling does not require that you see any evidence of making a positive difference. You may experience the exact opposite. Your doing good may be slandered--and you, too. But remember, He has promised your faithfulness in doing good will produce eternal fruit for His eternal glory. And it will fill you right now with the joy necessary to strengthen you as you continue to do the good He has ordained for you to do."

"Don't lose heart. Don't grow weary in doing good. In due season you will reap if you faint not." Press on--the joy of the Lord will be your strength.