Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Galatians Words ~ Word 14: Good

 


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.


Galatians 6:1-10 gives a picture of a community whose behavior flows out of love and sows to please the Spirit:

  •       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.


Share how you respond in the Words Challenge Facebook group. You can also share on social media using #galatianswords.

 

 

 


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