# 12 2016 Devotional Gal. 6:9. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Gal. 6:9
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.
The purpose of the letter to the Galatian Church was to expose legalistic and Old Testament ceremonial practices being taught by Judaizers as necessary for salvation. Chapter 6 is the end of Paul’s arguments for salvation by faith and by God’s grace alone. He encourages the Galatians and us to do good to all, restore those gone astray gently, do not think more of yourself than you should, and help each other especially fellow followers of Jesus. Secondly, he puts to rest the fallacy of salvation by works by appealing to the new covenant recreating us in Jesus Christ. The old is become new!
The verse we are looking at is part of Paul’s encouragement to the Galatians and to us to become new in Christ Jesus. To be new in Jesus means that we not only change from what we are and how we live but that we live in opposition to the way the world lives. “Let us not become weary”, Paul tells us. Helping others, walking along side someone to work through sin in order bring healing, and carrying each others burdens is hard work.From my experience as a church planter, the power of the Spirit cultivated in prayer keeps one from burn out.
Don’t tire of “doing good”, Paul adds. As followers of Jesus what is “doing good”? Paul makes it very clear it means building up the Kingdom of God. He starts with the brokenness of this world. “Restore sinners gently” not condemnation, not a better than thou attitude so many project, not isolation but love. The love of Jesus! We must begin with ourselves, our own attitudes, failures and short comings before we attempt to help others. It has been my experience that as we walk along side people with God’s Word He builds both persons spiritually and we are drawn closer to each other and Jesus. That is one example of doing good but it translates to all situations in our lives. In Christ all of life becomes worship pleasing to God.
Paul continues with: “for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”. Church planters plant churches but mostly we plant seeds. Sometimes there is a harvest but only after a lot of watering and cultivating and time. Sometimes the seeds lay dormant until such time as the Holy Spirit moves that person or persons to seek Jesus’ love and forgiveness. Let us who follow Jesus not give up planting the seed of life in people God places on our path, by our actions, our words and our love for them. There will be a great harvest indeed but only if we keep on planting!
Heavenhigh 