Growing up we are told, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” As we get older, we are told to be persistent in doing good things, it will come back and bless you. Finally, we are told that if we live a good life we will make it into heaven. Being a good person is a goal for a lot of people. Does doing good works and being a good person get us into heaven? Paul answers that today.
Romans 2:6-8
He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking[a] and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
A Responsibility to Serve
Reading this verse you would think that being a good person gets you into heaven, but it doesn’t. Paul is talking to self-righteous Jews who are judgmental towards Gentiles. They act entitled because of their heritage. Paul tells them that doesn’t eliminate their responsibility to love and serve those around them. This is a danger for those who have been in the church for a long time. They could easily have the mindset that they have served their time and its time for the new people to take their place. Paul reminds us that we should be persistent in doing good.
Be Persistent
Sometimes doing the right thing takes persistence. Sometimes loving those who are hard to love takes more than you have in you. It’s easy to sit and judge other people. There comes a time where we have to be persistent in doing good. That means that we push through and just do it because it is being obedient to God. People will criticize, and you will question yourself but be persistent and do the right thing. Be a person who pursues peace, shows kindness, and spreads love.