Galatians 6 (5)

Opening Prayer: Psalm 37.1-3.
Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

Sing Psalm 37.1-3.
(Neumark: If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee)
Let not the wicked make you worry; envy not those who break God’s Word.
Like dying grass will they be sorry, and fade like every dying herb.
Trust in the Lord and do His will; dwell in His grace, be faithful still.

Read Galatians 6.1-10; meditate on verses 7-10.

Preparation
1. What do we reap if we sow “to the Spirit”?

2. To whom must we do good?

Meditation
At any moment, in any situation, throughout the course of every day, we have two options before us: sow to the flesh, or sow to the Spirit. And these options entail two different outcomes: neglect to do good—and possibly do harm—or do good to others in Jesus’ Name.

What is implied in the participle, σπείρων (spyrohn)? Ongoingness. Sowing is an ongoing work—every moment, every day, and all year long. When a farmer sows, he takes the smallest of items—a seed—and lodges it in the soil. He holds in his mind a vision of the end he hopes to realize: a mature crop. He will tend to this seed as it grows, protecting it in its various stages of growth against anything that might thwart its potential and supplying it with nutrients and water to encourage growth.

Thus we also sow seeds for a future harvest, to our flesh when we allow even the smallest thought of such things as Paul mentioned in 5.16-21 to lodge in our souls, and to the Spirit as we seek His gifts, fruit, and power. To this righteous end we encourage one another, give thanks, sing to the Lord, feed on His Word and plant it deep in the furrows of our soul, and submit to and serve one another in love. Thus we expect to reap the true and eternal life of knowing God and Christ, and all the evidences that go with it.

Paul’s theology of good works can be succinctly summarized. We are saved to do them (Eph. 3.8-10). God has planned for us to do them, so we should do them zealously rather than grudgingly (Tit. 2.14). We must become equipped for them through the Word (2 Tim. 3.15-17) and be always ready to do good works (Tit. 3.1), careful to maintain them (Tit. 3.8), and focused on doing them to meet the needs of others (Tit. 3.14). We must do good to all people, but especially to those who are of the household of faith (Gal. 6.10). And, as we must not grow weary in prayer (Lk. 18.1), neither must we grow weary in doing good (Gal 6.9).

Sounds like a tall order, but if we sow consistently to the Spirit (Gal. 6.9), He will enable and empower us for every good work, working in us to do that which is pleasing to God (Phil. 2.13).

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162.
“But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD;
and be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32.23).

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6.7).

“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering,
not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath
in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds;’
eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;
but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—
indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil…
but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good…
for there is no partiality with God” (Rom. 2.4-11).

“But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good” (2 Thess. 3.13).

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in the power of your hand to do so” (Prov. 3.27).

“Trust in the LORD, and do good…” (Ps. 37.3).

Paul has warned us, encouraged us, and led us; we have a choice.
Most assuredly, God is not mocked, and we will not come out of this unscathed if we disobey Him.
It all depends upon the seeds we sow and where we sow them.

Solomon and Paul were two folks not afraid to tell the truth to God’s people; and we, as God’s people need to take heed to their warnings. Incalcitrant Christians run the risk of being caught up in foolishness:
“Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain,
yet his foolishness will not depart from him” (Prov. 27.22).

Our choice is clear: let us choose to sow seed to the Spirit and reap everlasting life (Gal. 6.8).
“LORD, I hope for Your salvation, and I do our commandments” (Ps. 119.166).

Reflection
1. What would you say to a fellow believer who didn’t believe good works were necessary?

2. How would you respond to a believer who said to you, “After all, we’re not saved by good works!”?

3. Whom will you encourage today to love and good works (Heb. 10.24)?

Hence we are to work, and we are to work good and to work it to all so that there is no partiality toward persons. We are to do nothing except do good and good to all. For indeed if love edifies and every person is beloved, then every good that we work we ought to work on behalf of all… Marius Victorinus (28-363), Epistle to the Galatians 2.6.10

Pray Psalm 37.4-9.
Meditate on all the Lord’s goodness to you. Let each good thing He has done or given you point you to Him, so that you delight in Him. Rest in His joy and call on Him to make you more like Jesus.

Sing Psalm 37.4-9.
(Neumark: If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee)
Delight yourself in God’s salvation; He’ll give you all your heart’s desire.
Commit to Him your every station, and His good purpose will transpire.
Your righteousness a blazing light He will bring forth against the night.

Rest in the LORD and wait on Jesus; fret not at those who practice sin.
Forsake all wrath till anger ceases; let anxious fears not enter in.
The wicked perish from the LORD, but they are blessed who heed His Word!

T. M. and Susie Moore

If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.