Galatians 6:9

Verse of the Day Devotion: Galatians 6:9

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” – Galatians 6:9   

Adam Clarke, a British Methodist theologian and Biblical scholar said the following in His commentary on this passage in Galatians.  “Well-doing is easier in itself than ill-doing; and the danger of growing weary in the former arises only from the opposition to good in our own nature, or the outward hinderances we may meet with from a gainsaying and persecuting world.”  I have found this to be very true in my own life.   First of all, I do not desire to do what is wrong.  Unfortunately, I at times do things I really do not want to do; things I need to ask forgiveness for, and these are the things that I find hard to accept in myself.  Doing good is my heart’s desire, that being spreading the gospel, teaching the Word of God, encouraging someone who is down, discipling Christians, helping the poor and needy, and other things.  These good acts themselves, as Adam Clarke says, is easier to do.  However, it is the enemy which makes me weary in these things, both from tempting me to do something rather than serving God by serving His people, and by the negativity and harsh rhetoric against the truth of God.

However, we must never back down from doing good simply because others do not like, and actually hate what we do and who we are.  Paul did better for the cause of Christ than the vast majority of Christians, even though he suffered for it.  Let’s look at a few verses.  “Are they servants of Christ? I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.  Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.” 2 Corinthians 11:23-27.  This is a huge list; however, Paul was willing to go beyond this.  “And coming to us, he (Agabus) took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 21:11-13.  Paul was not going to stop doing good simply because Rome and the Religious leaders persecuted, tortured and worked to kill him.  He was probably physically tired, but He never wearied of doing the Lord’s work.

And why?  Let’s look at the second part of our focus verse.  “For in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Galatians 6:9b.  In the end, no matter what happens to us here, if we do not grow weary of doing good, we will receive our reward, which will be infinitely greater than our sufferings.  That does not mean we do it for the reward, but we do it because we love the Lord.  “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Colossians 3:23-24.  We are to do all we do in service to the Lord.  And what is the promised reward, our inheritance.  “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” Romans 8:16-17.

So, in conclusion, do not weary in doing good, no matter what that good is.  He has called all of us who are Christians to do His work, not necessarily the same work, but His work, nonetheless.  Do not tire of doing this work and end up stopping.  When you begin to feel this way, remember that God will reward us for all the work we do according to His calling.  When comparing the weight of His work and the coming reward, there is no comparison. William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

Galatians 6:7

Verse of the Day Devotion: Galatians 6:7 

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” – Galatians 6:7 

This verse is often called “The rule of sowing and reaping”, basically a farming analogy.   Paul uses this idea several times in his writings.  First, we see it in his second letter to the Church in Corinth.  “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6.  This is probably the more prevalent verse regarding sowing and reaping, and the one I have heard more often than any other.  The basic idea here is if you sow one acre of corn, you will reap one acre of corn.  Not two or three acres, but one.  If you want to reap three acres of corn you need to sow three acres of corn.  This verse is used, and rightfully so, to say that the more you give the more you will get.  “If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother; You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.” Deuteronomy 15:7, 10. 

However, our focus verse is not speaking of amounts but crops.  The idea here is that you will reap what you sow, not the amount you sow.  For instance, if you sow wheat, you will not reap barley, you will reap wheat.  If you want to harvest beans, you do not sow cauliflower, but beans.  Whatever a farmer sows is exactly what he will reap. 

Look at verse eight.  “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”  Galatians 6:8. What Paul is saying here is if what we sow in regards to our life style, be it righteousness or sinfulness, we will reap accordingly.  If we sow to the indulgences of fleshly desires, we will reap corruption.  And this corruption will not lead to eternal life.  However, if we sow to the Spirit, meaning we live a life in the Spirit and not in the flesh, we will reap eternal life. 

Now, the first part of our focus verse says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked.” Galatians 6:7a.  The idea here is that we are not to be fooled into thinking we can expect eternal life if we sow to our flesh.  We cannot fool God in any way.  Also, we should not be deceived regarding our own character.  Theologian Albert Barnes puts it this way. “It implies that there was danger that they would be deceived in reference to their character. The sources of the danger were the corruption of their own hearts, the difficulty of knowing their true character, the instructions of false teachers, etc.” It is so important that we look at ourselves with honesty and integrity.  If we see issues, then we need to address those issues.  We must not think we can get away with deceiving God.

In conclusion, we must realize the idea of the rule of sowing and reaping is a particularly important point in our Christian walk.  If we sow to our flesh, we will reap corruption.  If we sow to the Spirit, we will reap eternal life.  There are no other options.  Just as only sowing corn will result in only reaping corn, sowing to the flesh will result in only reaping corruption and sowing to the Spirit will result in only reaping eternal life.  Do not be deceived into thinking anything else is possible.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.