Day Six

Galatians 6, the final chapter of Galatians, sees Paul encourage the churches of Galatia to stand by and support each other. We weren’t designed to walk through life on our own, we were created for community. Life can bring challenges, so too can our own humanity, and it is easiest to bear when we do it together.

Even when we do the wrong thing, Paul urges for correction in gentleness. Isn’t it an interesting thought to remember that even when we do mess up, the way we should be treated in that mistake is with gentleness, a fruit of the Spirit? In the same way, if those we love hurt us, or make mistakes, or fall short of the glory of God (as we saw in Romans 9:25), we are required to respond with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control and not with fits of anger or envy or strife. A humbling thought indeed.

Paul warns in verse 8, “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.” and in the next verse, he offers an encouragement to not give up on doing good, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Both the warning and the encouragement wouldn’t have been required if it wasn’t something the people of Galatia were not struggling with. We are able to take comfort from the fact that we’re not the first, and we won’t be the last, to find it wearying to resist our own desires and continue on with the good walk of faith.

As we finish up our journey through Galatians, we can breathe a sigh of relief that Jesus saves us from the works of the flesh–it’s by the power of what he did at the cross that enables us the ability to lean into the Holy Spirit, where the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in our lives, and away from the temptations of our flesh. Thank God for Jesus, He really is the greatest Saviour of all.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for the encouragement we receive through your Word. We rest in the knowledge that because of Jesus, we are saved through faith and brought into your family as your children and your heirs. As we go into our day, help us remain close to you, making choices to continue to do good work, no matter how hard it might feel. Amen.