May 02, 2023 | Be On Mission
The Value of Doing Good to Others
Scripture: Galatians 6 (NIV)
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.
17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Devotional
Paul wrapped up his letter to the churches in Galatia with a few practical insights. Though he had been making the argument that Christ has set us free from sin, he knew that sin would always be a temptation and reality for followers of Jesus. So, he gives some advice.
When a fellow believer sins, gently restore that person.
When you are living in a sinful world, watch yourself so you won’t be tempted.
When you think you have your act together, test your attitudes and actions.
When someone has discipled you in the faith, return the favor.
When somebody is in need, do good to them.
When a false teacher offers you a false gospel, run to the true gospel.
When you feel like bragging, then boast only in the cross of Jesus.
Paul concluded with a strong image, when he wrote, “From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Galatians 6:17). Recall that angry people from Antioch and Iconium pursued Paul when he was in Lystra and stoned him to within an inch of his life. All three of these cities were in the region of Galatia. This letter would be passed along to the churches in each of these cities. They had personally seen the marks of Jesus on Paul’s body.
In the end, what was Paul hoping the believers would take away from this letter before they passed it onto the believers in another Galatian city? What do you take away from it?
Poem
Burden Bearers
Our brothers are tempted by anger
Our sisters are tempted by shame
Our children do crouch in the shadows
Of fear, self deception and blame
Our call is to be burden bearers
As each on must carry their cross
To love and support one another
While dealing with sin and great loss
Our prayers come before God in heaven
Our words to the ears of the lone
Our minds by God’s word bear reforming
Our focus our eternal home
So lift one another in kindness
The promises true now retell
Wipe tears from the eyes of the mourning
The anger, shame, guilt and fear quell
