Galatians 6 reminds me of a recent psychology lecture that posed the question, how do you know what someone believes? His short answer was, observe what they do, because their actions will tell you what they truly believe. Today’s lesson is about finding endurance for doing good. Paul begins with what seems like a simple thing, “if someone is caught in a sin… restore that person gently”. That is not our nature. It is much more satisfying to highlight someone’s failure, and then compare ourselves to their low point. Paul even adds a warning to be careful, “or you also may be tempted”. To be clear, there must first be an acknowledgement by the offender of wrong doing. It is not possible to restore someone that does not desire to make a change. Paul adds another level of responsibility to the restorer. He tells us to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”. In order to “love one another”, we must do more than accept an apology and move on. We are to help them get onto a better path. This requires an attitude of humility; “If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves”. Paul suggests believers do this “without comparing themselves to someone else”. It is exhausting to keep up with someone else’s expectations. Restoration begins with the willingness to ask for forgiveness.
Next, Paul returns to an earlier theme, tying in personal responsibility. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows”. This is a universal law; you will harvest what you plant. Be aware, this does not always happen in the same season. An apple tree can take up to 10 years to produce fruit. Paul says that we can live to please the flesh, or live to please the Spirit; adding, one leads to destruction, the other to eternal life. Paul presents his perspective; “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”. If the harvest is poor, perhaps it is time to plant something different. Paul urges, “let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers”. Is there anyone you are leaving off the “all people” list?
Paul personally closes his letter to the Galatians, “I write to you with my own hand!” It is both a summary and a conclusion about the battle between legalism and grace. He notes “Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you” to keep certain aspects of the law. He says their motivation was partly “to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ”. They wanted to retain their social status while having authority over the faithful followers of Christ. Here is the problem, “Not even those who are circumcised keep the law”. Every single person will fall short of perfection. That is why Paul prays, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ”. This is the key to victory over discouragement. Let’s observe what Jesus did, to understand what He believes. He took the punishment for my sin because He sees me as worthy. The cross is proof of His love for me. I am required to do nothing to earn God’s favor, because Christ already did everything necessary for my salvation. Friend, if God sees you as worthy, you are worthy indeed! Paul adds, “what counts is the new creation”. The moment we personally accept Christ as Savior, we are made new. God’s Holy Spirit working through us produces joy, and joy produces the desire to share our experience. My good works do not make me righteous; I am made right by faith in Christ. Paul prays for, “Peace and mercy”. You cannot have one without the other. Paul closes his letter with a prayer for the church, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit”. My friend, are you ready to be restored? Jesus has already done the work. He is willing to forgive all who ask in faith. Peace and mercy are available to all who believe.