Galatians Words ~ Day 14: Good
As God’s holy people Paul has a distinct way of life in mind
for us, a life that imitates Christ. He has already shown us the contrast
between characteristics and behavior of one who is led by the sinful nature (5:19-21)
and one who is led by the Spirit (5:22-23). Now Paul shows us that living as
God’s holy people takes place best in community, especially a community whose
behavior models Christ’s, it flows out of love.
- Those caught in sin are restored with gentleness by those who are more spiritually mature. (6:1)
- They carry each other’s burdens, fulfilling the law of Christ, which is love. (6:2, 5:14)
- Each person takes responsibility for their own actions. They carry their own load, while also helping each other. (6:2-5)
- They share all good things with those who instruct them. The community is self-sufficient because everyone helps support it. (6:6) Everyone gives and serves.
- · A community is either built up or divided -they face destruction or eternal life - by the reaping and sowing of individuals based on whether they are living for the sinful nature or the Spirit. (6:7-8) They are all dependent on each other.
Paul brings it all to the bottom line in Galatians 6:9-10: Individually,
and in community, the way to live for Christ is through faith expressing itself
through love and service by acts of goodness.
“Let us not
become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest
if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do
good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of
believers.” Galatians
6:9-10
Paul gives us a
warning and an encouragement on living as God’s holy people. The warning: never
grow tired of doing good. Don’t let other things wear you out so that you don’t
have the time and energy to do good things for others. This is key to “reaping
the harvest” of eternal life.
The
encouragement: Take advantage of every opportunity to do good for others – for all
people, and especially for those you are in community with. In doing so you sow
to please the Spirit (6:8). If we remember the list of the fruit of the Spirt
in 5:22-23, goodness is one of the Spirit’s characteristics that He produces in
us as we walk in His power and are led by Him.
So, as Paul has
worked through this letter to restore the Galatian community to the foundation
of their faith in Christ alone by grace alone, he also works to restore their
unity to one another. He calls them on to imitate the life of Christ by loving
and serving others through acts of good works, by the power of the Spirit.
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