Get the appGalatians: The Life I Now LiveSample
There are two versions of the Christian life. One is focused on myself and my efforts, the other is focused on Christ and His goodness. Paul continues to show that there is only one way to live the life we now have in Christ.
In verse 6 Paul addresses care for teachers. He knew that he was on the receiving end of some heavy-duty criticism among the Christians in Galatia. Just as a fleshly self-focused attempt to live the Christian life will result in a community biting and devouring one another (5:15), so also it will result in chewing up the preacher too. Too many Christians have an appetite for roast preacher!
A community marked by the fruit of the Spirit will be a community that cares for one another. This includes care for those who preach the Bible to them, through sharing encouragement and financial support. True believers will not be consumers who simply take from a church; they will be participants who share in the giving.
In verses 7–8 Paul shares his underlying principle throughout the application section of the letter. Believers can either invest their energy in their own flesh, or in the Spirit. Instead of using the language to ‘walk by the Spirit … keep in step with the Spirit’ (5:16 ESV, 25,), he now uses the farming language of sowing and reaping. If believers sow their lives in flesh living, then they will harvest a crop that is consistent with that – a crop of corruption. If believers sow their lives to the Spirit, then there will be an eternally wonderful crop.
What does it mean to ‘sow to please the Spirit?’ In light of all that we have seen, this must mean the opposite of living according to the flesh. It is living with my focus not on myself, but on Christ; not living with a focus on my performance, but on his goodness; a life defined not by my independence, but by my absolute dependence. This life is not about self-gratifying pleasure-seeking, nor self-righteous religiosity, but Christ-loving relationship.
God cannot be mocked – we will reap what we sow. God has given us a new way to live, but if we resist that offer and live by our own fleshly independence, then eventually the corruption will be evident to all!
Reflection
As you ponder the way you are investing your life’s energies today, what will you be reaping in the future?
Scripture
About this Plan
Paul wrote the book of Galatians to Christians who were tempted to add good works to the gospel. Although we might not want to admit it, adding to the gospel is a great temptation for us too. So be encouraged as Peter Mead takes us through these devotions, be reminded that Christ is everything, and that the gospel is all we need for our lives now in Jesus.
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