Galatians: The Life I Now LiveSample

At the end of his life and ministry, Moses gave the people two alternatives. They could be faithful to God or faithless (Deut. 30:15–20). At the end of his life and ministry, Joshua did the same – see Joshua 24:14–15. Now Paul wraps up Galatians with a similar call. The Galatians could accept God’s glorious provision in Christ, by the Spirit, or they could reject that and live life based on the desires of their own flesh. Living in light of the gospel will be worth it in the end. 

The principle Paul gave in verses 7–8 was simple: we always reap according to what we sow. Put in carrot seed and you will eventually be pulling out carrots. Sow to the flesh and the result will be corruption. Or sow to the Spirit and the result will be life. 

We should heed Paul’s warning in this simple principle. Perhaps you are sowing to the flesh? Maybe there is an ongoing secret sin that is consuming your energy and resources? And perhaps God doesn’t seem to be disciplining or rescuing you? Maybe you are getting away with it and nobody is getting hurt? God cannot be mocked. Respond to this warning because you will not be the exception. Sowing to the flesh will reap destruction in your relationships, in your family, in your church. Trust God’s word and turn to Him now. 

Maybe you are doing respectable Christianity in your own strength? Perhaps you are keeping up appearances without any meaningful connection to God? Maintaining this mask will also lead to a negative harvest in your life, and in your church. 

However, we should also hear the encouragement in this simple principle. Don’t give up doing good (v. 9)! Perhaps you are giving yourself away in serving others, caring for children, teaching a Sunday-school class, looking after a difficult relative, caring pastorally for difficult people in the church – don’t give up! It may seem fruitless right now. It may feel like every drop of love you give instantly disappears without recognition, like water into parched soil, but don’t give up. There will be a harvest. 

Paul wants gospel-gripped believers to give of themselves just like God has given of Himself – with no immediate reward, but with an unending eternal harvest to come. 

Reflection

Where are you tempted to give up doing good? How can you encourage someone else to not give up doing good?