Galatians 6:7-16. Weary in doing good???

Galatians 6:7-16.                                               Weary in doing good???                               7/7/13

 {7)  Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. {8} The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who 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 make a good impression outwardly 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 obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your 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 a new creation. {16} Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.

 This morning we focus on God’s encouragement not to become weary in doing good. Now I am sure many of you, like myself, many times, over recent years, have become weary with regard to the Christian life. It’s all too hard. There is too much conflict; too few results; too many different view points: too much encouragement to be open to all kinds of heresy: too much apathy; and the list goes on. It is all such a struggle at times. As a result we become weary.

 We half give up and go with the flow. So what if we give way here and there? So what If my life doesn’t match up with how God expects me to live? So what if our teaching and understanding is a little different from what the Scriptures tell us? After all everyone else is doing it and they seem to be more successful and happy, so it must be alright. And we know that it is not popular to stand up against the current trends, even when they are not right and good. As a result of this giving way we become tired and lethargic; and that which know we should be doing, becomes a burden.

 Along with that is the whole focus of our society and our church on, results. We have to see the fruits of our work or else what we are doing is not right. Prosperity theology and thinking abounds all around us. Unless we are seen to be achieving something remarkable we are not up to the mark. Unless we have the right feeling, we cannot be sure that we are on the right track. There has to be something more: something better. Unless our numbers are increasing we have to find a different and more popular way. The entrepreneurial way is rife in our society and church. And it is very difficult to stand up against, because it fits very much into our ego-centric way of thinking. It is all so wearying.

 Then there is the view that we are free to live as we please, and we can determine what is right and wrong, irrespective of what God’s Word says. Homosexuality, abortion, divorce, living together, worshipping when are where it pleases me, and all manner of things are considered as no big deal. After all God loves and accepts everyone irrespective. And I could go on.

 So it is right here, to us today also, that these words are directed. Let us hear again what God has to say: Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

 We too need to be discerning with regard to what is going on around us. There is much that is happening that is far from good and helpful, even though it is portrayed as being the ‘best thing since sliced bread.’ We need to beware that we are not deceived by much of what is going on around us in the name of, and pretence of, ‘good.’ Not everything that is promoted as good and Christian is what it is claimed to be. In fact there is much that is a mockery of Christianity.

 However, we are reminded here again that God cannot be mocked. God knows what is going on. He knows what has been asked of us; and of our faithfulness or otherwise. And as a holy and just God, we all will be called to account and we all will reap the rewards of what we have sown.

 The fruits of those who have chosen to do their own thing will eventually be seen for what they are: ‘wild oats.’ That God makes quite clear when he says; A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. You sow wild oats and even though we might like to say we have planted oats, it is still wild oats. It make look like good oats while it is growing, but at harvest time it is seen for what it really is, wild oats; which is good for nothing.

 Now that same principle applies to our spiritual lives; we will reap what we sow. If we want to live our lives according to and for our selfish wants and what our society around us calls ‘good,’ then the results of our life will be, that we may look good as we go through this life, but the final results will be corruption and destruction. As the Scriptures often remind us, we may have the earthly reward that we are looking for, but we will not receive any reward beyond this life.

 However for those who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Those who seek after what God wants, they will reap the reward that God has in mind for us; eternal life. So as God’s Spirit is allowed to direct our lives, instead of the ‘I wants’ there is a fruitful outcome, whether we can see it at the moment or not. Because God is true to his promises we can be sure that this will be the case for us.

 So Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. We thereby are encouraged to ‘hang in there’ and continue to be faithful. There is no need for us to become discouraged, or to slacken off. We can continue to hold onto and do that which is good and right according to God and his Word. So let us not relax or give up, for we do have God and his Word with us.

 
Here let us remember again who this God is and what he has done for us. This God did not give up on us, despite our waywardness and rebellion. And when the time was right he sent forth his Son, Jesus, to die on the cross so that we might be forgiven and assured of eternal life with him in heaven. He did not weary in carrying through on what was necessary for us and for our salvation.

 Then on top of that he gave us his Word and Sacraments so that we can be constantly reassured of all that he has done for us through his life, death and resurrection. He washed us clean personally in the waters of baptism and joined us into his family so that we can be constantly reassured that we are forgiven and are a part of his family. So day by day his Spirit leads us to readily acknowledge that we are sinful, but that we are forgiven, and so be able to go forward to live the new creation that he has made us.

So also his Spirit works in us as we read, hear and meditate on his Word. There we are constantly focussed on and have our attention drawn to our sinfulness as human beings, and then to the Good News of all that he has done for us through Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. As a result we are reassured that we have been made a new creation with a new and better way to live.

 Then as we face our trials, difficulties and failures in life he constantly draws us to his house here for further help, encouragement and reassurance. As we are weekly drawn by his Spirit into his house we receive Jesus very body and blood which he shed on the cross, so that we can know for sure that we are loved, forgiven and have Jesus with us as we live out our daily lives. We have thereby the sure promise of eternal life with him in heaven.

 Now then, we have every reason not to become weary in doing good. Our God is with us and gives us everything necessary to sustain us and keep us strong.

 So while we still have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Let us first and foremost encourage one another to remain focussed on our Lord and all that he has done for us. Let us encourage each other to regularly gather together here so that God’s Spirit can keep us all strong and faithful in our Christian walk. This sharing of the things that are important is to be the seed that we sow in our daily lives: first and foremost with those who belong to the family of believers but also with those whom we come into contact with in our daily lives.

 Throughout our lives, let our focus and boast be in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to us, and we to the world. What truly counts for us is the new creation that he has made us. As we continually look to him and what his Spirit is working in our lives, then we will not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. And through it may all glory and honour go to him whom it belongs; our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. AMEN.

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish