“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:10
Helps Word Studies “opportunity”
2540 kairós – time viewed as opportunity. 2540/kairós ("opportune time") derives from kara ("head") which refers to things "coming to a head" (to take full-advantage). "2540 (kairos) is the suitable time, the right moment (e.g. Soph., El. 1292), a favorable moment" (DNTT, 3, 833). Kairos expresses time in terms of its eternal potential – qualitatively, rather than quantitatively (as with 5550/xrónos). Indeed, every scene of life then is a "karios moment" (eternal opportunity) because the Lord has arranged all of them (Eph 1:11; Ps 118:24, Heb text).
I like the phrase HELPS use “expressing time in terms of its eternal potential”. If we view our moments eternally how much more would we live with open hearts that extend open hands.
To see our brother in need and close our heart to him... how does the love of God abide in Him? The Kairos is lost and the moment which has been given for eternity, gone.
Eph 5:16: "Making the most of your time (2540/kairós), because the days are evil" (NASB).
Because we do live in the midst of evil, we have so many kairos moments to make the most of. Our exhortation from Galatians today is to do good to all. Here in Victoria, you can not be out on the streets without coming into contact with our vast homeless population. A closed heart refuses to see. Where we refuse to see, we cannot sow for eternity. Luke’s story of Jesus going to Zacchaeus’ house, tells us Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost. The word ‘seek’ is highlighted in my mind today. How often do we go live with that awareness? Seeking that opportunity which may be ripe for sowing?
We are to consider our life here and now as seed, unless a seed falls into the ground and dies, it remains just a single seed. We spend and are spent for the benefit of others. This is why Paul said, let us not grow weary in well doing, while you have the opportunity do good! To grow weary is an evil we can not afford. I’m continually reminded in these days of the question the Lord poses to Jeremiah in chapter twelve, if you’ve run with the footmen and they’ve wearied you, how then can you contend with the horses? And if in the land of peace, wherein you trusted, they wearied you! Then how will you do in the swelling of Jordan?
If doing good is a burden to us now, and helping others wearies us, how could we ever endure true hardships and times of trouble, that will eventually present the greatest needs of mankind, ever.
Col 4:5: "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity (2540/kairós)" (NASB).
David and I have always lived with the awareness that if we see it- it is our kairos moment. Not to be passed off to another, not to be ignored, but to hold the wisdom of God in ourselves, to meet it righteously. The man laid daily at the temple, in the book of Acts, begging alms, is met by Peter and John. He asks for money, Peter and John, have none but give him what they do have, “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth! Rise up and walk.” We always have the name to use and bring life to another.
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”