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In such a complicated social state as ours, those who do not know how to do good probably outnumber those who do not care. The weary and hopeless outnumber the careless, if one may judge by the eager throng which presses into the field when some direct, immediate good is set before them as capable of being done. The difficulty of the problem depresses and disheartens us.

I. Well-doing is is the broad evidence of the Christian calling. The word here employed does not bear on beneficence exclusively. Love of truth, honour, goodness, are contained in it, as well as (v. 10) help to humanity around. I do not say that this help is the one evidence of a Christian calling, but it is essential, and never more so than in these days. In a broad view of the Christian profession, it is a volunteer service for the help of Christ in lifting the burden of the sin and misery of mankind. The Church is His body; His eye to see, His voice to cheer, His hand to lift and to heal the weakness and the misery of mankind. It is not only for Christ's sake that it toils, but in Christ's spirit. It has learnt from Christ the lesson, caught the habit. To the perfect Christian, Christ is not so much the motive as the spring: a fountain springing up to all beautiful, joyful, and blessed work for mankind.

II. Be not weary in well-doing.

1. The causes of weariness.

(1) The weight of the flesh. "The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak." The great battle of life is with this heavy, weard, languid flesh, that ties us to the dust. Weariness in well-doing is part of the universal weariness; the slow movement of the flesh under high compulsions; the deadness of the soul itself to truth, and Christ, and the eternal world.

(2) The largeness of the problem. I can hardly wonder that the best stand appalled before the mass of the misery and sin of society. Could we get it all in a small compass, as Job had it (Job 29:11-17), we could put our hands to it with some hope of success. It is like pumping a sinking ship. We may wear our hearts out, and in the end all will go down.

(3) The immense difficulty and intricacy of the work, and the evil it brings in its train. Many say, if I were but sure of doing good, God knows I would try. But who can be sure? Does not every effort to help on the one hand, depress and deprave on the other?

(4) The measure in which the sorrow is mixed with sin.

(5) It is thankless work.

2. The reasons which should move us to endure.

(1) Because such words as these are written in the Bible (Matthew 18:21-35). I pray you read them.

(2) Because these words are sustained and enforced by the infinite patience and mercy of God. If God does this, despite our sin, it is our honour, and shall be our life, to stir ourselves to do likewise; for it is the human dignity and bliss to think, feel, and live like God.

(3) This endurance is life's grand lesson. Spasmodic virtue and charity are easy enough and cheap enough. It is a poor life that never treads a mountain summit, and flings an eagle glance over a promised land. But to stay on the level, to live in the clear upper air, to soar untiring as an angel, to work unresting as Christ, this is the strain of life. It is learned only by intense effort, by sorrowful failures, by many steps on the brink of despair. But work at it and work on. Renew the fight, endure the strain. The lesson of constant, patient, Christlike effort, learnt once, is learnt for eternity.

(4) Because there is an end which will fulfil all our hope for humanity in sight. Not in your sight nor in mine, but in Christ's. He sees the triumph of all that you struggle for, the defeat of all that you hate. Work on, work ever.

(J. B. Brown, B. A.)

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KJV: And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

WEB: Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up.