Study of Galatians Part 21 - Galatians 6:5-10

Last week, we heard Paul describing how the Galatian Christians (and we) can live out our lives in the Holy Spirit, using the fruit He provides for our relationships with the people around us. He warned about what we should not do - become conceited and self-centered, with envy of and conflict with others (Galatians 5:15,26).

Rather, living out “the law of Christ,” the law of love, we are to bear each other’s burdens and help “restore” those who are drifting spiritually. At the same time, we are to act in “a spirit of gentleness,” of meekness, as we help others, always “watching” and “testing” ourselves, knowing that we, too, could be tempted and stumble, and living with humble repentance for our own faults (Galatians 6:1-4).

And as Galatians 6:5 says, we need to remember that as we help one another, we each finally “carry our own load.” No one else can believe for us and no other human being can save us, and we cannot save ourselves. But we are not alone. God Himself is with us, and He sent His only Son, the God/man Jesus, to forgive and save us, and He sent His Holy Spirit to bring us to faith in Christ and keep us in that faith, through Word and Sacrament. Finally, what we do as Christians is motivated by God’s love at work in us and not by laws and rules that we are told we must do for salvation. That is the primary emphasis that we have been hearing again and again in Paul’s letter.

At the same time, Paul does use the whole Word of God, including the law, to show the Galatians (and us) where we can be in danger and are called to repentance. In Galatians 6:7-8, Paul warned that people should not think that they can mock God by continually doing “the works of the flesh” described in Galatians 5:19-21, without concern and without repentance. That lifestyle is sowing seeds that lead to “corruption,” a word that is translated in other places as “destruction.” See the very dramatic description of where such “sowing” to fleshly desires can lead in 2 Peter 2:12-14.

In contrast, “sowing to the Spirit” leads finally to receiving the greatest gift of the Spirit, which is “eternal life” (Galatians 6:8). Such “sowing,” using the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23) also produces much good in this life as God gives us “opportunities” to help and serve others and especially “those who are of the household of faith,” fellow believers. Some of this good we do, by God’s power, may be tiring and may not seem to accomplish much, but we are called “not to give up,” for God will bless these efforts “in due season,” according to His timetable (Galatians 6:9-10).

In Galatians 6:6, Paul also reminded the Galatians who were “taught” the true Word of God to “share all good things” with those who were “teaching” them. Some think that confusion created by the false teachers was causing the Galatians not to give needed help to any of their teachers. Though Paul sometimes refused help in certain circumstances, he clearly saw a Biblical basis for giving support to teachers of the Word. See Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:3-12 and words of Jesus, such as Matthew 10:10 and Luke 10:7-8. See how grateful Paul himself was, also, for various kinds of help from the Christians at Philippi, in Philippians 4:10-16.

In the context of what Paul was talking about, doing good for others, Galatians 6:6 is likely also referring less to “financial help” than to encouragement in the Word that even “teachers” need, too. “All good things” that Christian teachers bring us center in God’s love and forgiveness and the hope we have in Christ Jesus. It is not always easy to be a faithful schoolteacher or pastor or Bible class leader or parents teaching their children, etc. These teachers need the same prayers and encouragement for their lives, as we do, and to keep hearing God’s Word and the Good News of salvation in Christ alone shared with them, too - maybe even from us.

Imagine what might have happened if Galatian Christians took to heart what Paul wrote in this letter and tried to share even with the false teachers what was right and true, according to God’s Word! And if you are a “teacher of the Word” in some way, be open to being taught, through God’s Word and encouragement and advice of others. We all have room for learning more from our Lord through His Word.

This brings us to one last thought from this lesson. Don’t get confused. All the talk about doing good and doing the right things is exactly what God wants us to be doing. But that does not mean that this is the way that we finally earn our salvation. We already have our salvation through what Jesus has accomplished for us and through being brought to faith in Him by the Holy Spirit. That is why Paul called “eternal life” what we reap and receive through the Holy Spirit (Galatians 6:8). It is God’s gift to us. Good works are simply our way of thanking and praising Jesus for His perfect goodness for us - and a way of actually helping others, and as a response to how Jesus first has helped and saved us.

Next week, in what will hopefully be our last lesson on Galatians, we will see Paul again taking us back to boasting only in Jesus and His saving work on the cross for us. Also, if any of you have suggestions about what you would like to study next, let me know. The Lord’s continued blessings and strength!