Living Out Covenant with One Another
Study Scripture: Galatians 5:22 - 6:10
Lesson 13

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Key Verse

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

INTRODUCTION

In our previous lesson in Galatians 4, the Apostle Paul claimed that men are divided into two camps; so there are two sons, two wives, two covenants, two mountains and two cities. There are two kinds of humanity, one believing in the words flowing from the promise of God, while the other had a heart that consistently ignored God and thus ended up in a life of slavery.  

Paul continually emphasized the fact that the Galatians brethren had taken on a new identity, that would necessarily lead to totally new behaviour. They had been ‘born of the Spirit’, thereby freed from the curse of the Law and had enjoyed marvellous freedom in Christ.  

God had graciously changed them and had given them the power of the Holy Spirit to live in newness of life.  They had died with Christ, and that old life had died with them.  They had been ‘resurrected with Christ’, and were now dead to sin but alive and in fellowship with the pure and holy life of the risen Lord.  The believers had been raised to life by the Holy Spirit and must now walk by the Spirit.  

They had been emancipated from slavery, by the redeeming work of Christ and were now firmly anchored in the path of life and in the Kingdom of God .  

The Apostle Paul clearly warned that the power of the “flesh” remained great and posed a danger to the freedom that the Galatians had in Christ.  There was constant warfare between the ‘flesh’ and the Spirit, for the ‘flesh’ was so totally contrary or in opposition to the ‘Spirit’, that it never ceased trying to get the believer to revert to the unholy behaviour of the times, when it had them in slavery.  

The believers should be careful, that their walk showed they were not influenced by or overcome by the desires of the flesh.  They should always act in the awareness, that they were new creatures and that they had been freed from slavery under the Law.  

Paul instructed them to literally keep on walking through life in dependence on the Holy Spirit for guidance and power.  The Spirit continually blocks the evil cravings of the flesh; the principle of the “old man” that operated in people to will, choose, desire, and love carnal things.  The Spirit would guide the “new man”, to will, choose, desire, want and love spiritual things, these were all contrary to the corrupt “old” nature.  

Walking in the godly life led by the Spirit, would lead a person away from sin and destruction or ‘devouring’ and away from malice, strife and antagonism among the brethren.  Instead there would be a relationship of love.  

The Apostle then proceeded to show the “works” that followed from being in or being influenced by the flesh.  These are sensual sins, religious sins, interpersonal, and social sins. These are the things that people who operated according to the flesh or the corrupt nature would do.  True believers, who are led by the Spirit, should never do these “works” or condemned acts.  

We will define these condemned deeds, so that the contrast with the deeds of those led by God will be highlighted in our minds.  

The deeds of the “flesh” show the character of the person, for one type of character pursues the pleasures of the flesh, while the other type of character manifests the grace of God in the life of the believer.  

Note that the Apostle makes it absolutely clear that those who do these things of the “flesh” will never, definitely never, inherit the kingdom of God .  

Clearly then a professing Christian who follows the way of the world is a “useless Christian”, for behaving like the world and being friendly with the world, indicates that the person is at enmity with God.  

Note that there will be conflict in the individual and thus Paul tells us how to walk in everyday life, putting one foot in front of another. Conflict is unavoidable and people will often be surprised by their failure to be able to do what they want. All men, even the most influential believers of the past have faced struggles in their Christian walk.  

He commands believers not to think that a person can ignore the Spirit in what seems to be the normal, mundane circumstances of life. One should never lose focus but listen to the Spirit in every business of the day, no matter how trivial it may seem. To help he lists plainly the deeds of the flesh.  

Worldliness is not simply a matter of doing this thing or not doing another thing. It is a matter of the attitude of the heart, an attitude of life that determines how one thought and how one dealt with things.  

First Paul listed sexual sins. Adultery is an illicit connection with a married person. It is a defilement of the marriage bed and is a sin of uncleanness committed by two persons. The Law of God condemns it.  

Fornication is an illicit connection between single or unmarried persons and refers to all forms of illicit sexual relationships. It is from this word that we get the word pornography.  

Uncleanness is a general term referring to moral corruption in thought, word, and deed. It covers all kinds of unnatural lusts such as sodomy and bestiality.  

Lasciviousness is wantonness, lewdness or debauchery and it means an open, shameless, display of these evils mentioned. It involves insolence.  

The Apostle then cited two religious sins.  

Idolatry was the worship of idols. This involved attending idol festivals where all kinds of the previously listed sexual sins were rampant, for male and female prostitution was often a part of heathen religions.  

Witchcraft is any real or pretended agreement and association with the Devil. It involves seeking to have conversation with familiar spirits to gain unlawful knowledge. It honors Satan and therefore detracts from the glory of God. It includes conjuring, soothsaying, necromancy, and all kinds of magic.  

Hatred is in the plural. It is the same as enmities. Note that the carnal mind is filled with enmity against God, Christ, the Law, the Gospel, everything that is good, including good people. It is opposite to brotherly love and kindness.  

Variance is discord or contentions, the natural result of hatred. It is fighting and quarrelling openly.  

Emulation is a boiling up of passions and strife, in order to get ahead at the expense of another. It is an unholy zeal in a bad cause. It is translated literally as “jealously”. It is sinful and self-centred. It involves fits of rage or outbursts of temper as the end point of smouldering jealously.  

Wrath is plural and means passionate outbreaks. It is violent emotions of the mind, seeking to hurt others in revenge.  

Strife means “factions” and hence it describes what happens when people quarrel over issues and personalities and cause hurtful divisions.  

Seditions are dissentions in domestic, civil, or religious things. It involves factions or parties.  

Heresies are bad divisions, principles and tenets relating to doctrine. They come from the inventions of man and his choice without any foundation in the word of God. It is a work of the flesh springing from a carnal mind and indulging in the lusts of the flesh.  

Envying is that evil feeling; a wrongful desire to possess what belongs to somebody else. It is grief and pain at the happiness and good of another person who is perceived to be better.  

Murders involve the destruction of the lives of men, the consequence of the evils previously mentioned. The Scriptures do not allow taking of a person’s life except for the crime of murder.  

Drunkenness means taking more wine or the excessive use of strong drink by individuals. This use is more than is necessary for health reasons. It involves intoxication of the mind.  

Reveling or orgies refer to the drunken carousing associated with the worship of Bacchus, the god of wine. It involves excessive eating, drinking, dancing, singing, and wantonness. This is evil, and comes from a carnal mind.  

The Apostle Paul warned believers to avoid such things. People who indulge in these cannot inherit the Kingdom of God . These works are works of the flesh, and those that do them shall never enjoy eternal life and happiness.  

Paul now begins to point out the results of  life in the Spirit and lists the nine graces which he describes as the “Fruit” of the Spirit. These graces are produced by the Holy Spirit who works through the believer who is in vital union with Christ.

THE TEXT

Verse 22. The word “fruit” is singular, indicating that these qualities constitute a unity, and this ‘singular’ “fruit” are in a believer under the control of the Spirit.  

The first three graces are habits of the mind, and find their source in God.  

Love is listed first and is the foundation of the other graces. This is a characteristic of God, given to the believer by the Holy Spirit. It is shown in a clinging to everything of God. This kind of love comes from its root, namely, the Holy Spirit, who being God, is love. The new nature imparts love and enables the believer to show the love of God.  

Joy is a deep and abiding rejoicing, a resting in God’s sovereign control over all things. Some define this as “a cheerfulness in conversation with our friends, or rather a constant delight in God”. It would show itself in the good of others and a desire for their prosperity in spiritual as well as material things.  

Peace is the calm and quiet in a justified soul. There is no doubt, fear, alarm or foreboding, but an assurance of pardon.  It is thus, inner repose in the face of adverse circumstances and it defies human understanding.  It shows “ a peaceableness of temper and behavior toward others”.  

Now the Apostle Paul deals with those graces that reach out to others, note that they have been fortified by love, joy, and peace.  

Long-suffering is the quality of forbearance under provocation.  It is slow to anger and it defers anger, being ready to forgive injuries and affronts.  

Gentleness is literally “benignity”, that is, it is conciliatory to others.  It involves suavity or polished manners when dealing with others.  A sweetness of temper is involved and it makes a person easy-going, courteous and easy to be entreated.  This is a very rare grace.  

This grace guides the general conduct of the believer who is submissive to the word of God and is led by the Spirit.  

Goodness is uprightness of soul reflected in kindness, which itself is a readiness to do good to all, even when not deserved.  

Faith or faithfulness is opposed to heresies.  This is a quality that makes a person trustworthy and reliable, like the faithful servant.  It is fidelity and honesty.  It conscientiously performs promises, carefully preserves what it is entrusted with, does not disappoint and does not betray secrets.

Verse 23.   Meekness is the grace we have to govern our passions and resentments.  It is humility and lowliness of mind.  This rules out all evil temper, passions, anger and revenge.  It is strength in being even-handed, not easily provoked and easily pacified, even when wrong is done to the person.  

Temperance implies self-restraint to one's desires and lusts.  This is self-mastery and it cannot be attained apart from the empowerment of the Spirit of God.  This allows the believer to curb the fleshly impulses or animals appetites that Paul condemned previously.  The good things of life provided by God can be enjoyed but not excessively and immoderately.  

Since the God given desires of the flesh are not corrupted into unholy lusts and since the graces of the Spirit are evident, then there will be no friction between laws and the people led by the Spirit, who in fact are practicing the graces of the Spirit.  The Law itself commanded love and other graces mentioned.

Verse 24.  All true Christians are here defined as those who belong to Christ and who are always conforming to the desires and actions of their master and Lord.  They are joined with Christ into his death and resurrection and since he has crucified the old nature, they also have crucified the old nature.  They do not obey it and will never allow it to reign in their mortal bodies but constantly seek to crucify the flesh with its corrupt lusts.  

Led by the Spirit and showing the fruit of the Spirit they live onto righteousness and  oppose the works of the flesh.

Verse 25.  So Paul can now say that if we claim to be among the children of God, have received this Spirit of Christ, being gathered out from the world and its corruption, we should show by behavior and life style, the evidence of the great principles of the Spirit.  The believer must mind the things of the Spirit, and walk in newness of life.  

It is important to note that when Paul says we should ‘walk’ in the Spirit in this verse, he used a different word than was used when he said in verse 16 that Christians must ‘walk’ in the Spirit.

The word in verse 16 referred to the ordinary process of walking, putting one foot before the other.  One writer describes the meaning of ‘walk’ in this verse and shows the implications.

“ The word that is used here in verse 25, however, means ‘ to get in line with’, ‘ to follow after’, as it is sometimes translated.

Here Paul views Christians not so much as a group of individuals, each of whom is seeking to walk in the Spirit.  Rather, here he compares Christians to an army marching in line.  Thus we are not only responsible to care for ourselves, but also for each other, and we will make progress only as we march together.  A group of people cannot march properly and successfully as a group if someone in front is stumbling, or someone behind is falling to one side.  We cannot make progress unless we are walking together in the Spirit.  We are responsible for each other.  We must all try to march together, realizing that we either all make it together or we don't make it at all.”  

He continues the application in verse 26.

“Galatians 5: 26 follows naturally, then.  The opposite of fulfilling our responsibilities for one another is boastfulness, vain glory, a proud turning of our attention on ourselves so that we are caught up thinking only of ourselves.  John Stott says about the word that is translated “ boastful”. “ This word denotes somebody who has an opinion of himself which is empty, vain or false.  He is cherishing an illusion about himself”.  

Let us remember that those in Christ are in covenant with him, ‘purchased by his blood’ and they are his people.  

The corrupt nature of the ‘old man’ and the carnal heart is finished. Jesus has made an end of it; of it's sin and its lusts. Those things are all fastened to the Cross and are under the restraint of God's mighty grace.  They cannot reign and rule as before.  They have no power to control.  

God does not like pride or a life that is focused on itself.  Those led by the Spirit will of necessity have a overriding concern for each other.  

With that teaching stated, the Apostle Paul can then turn to command the church that it should not abandon its wounded in times of failure,  hardship and in times of defeat and hurt.  

Paul now looks at how believers should respond to other Christians in two different kinds of difficulties:

-those who have been caught in sin

-those who are crushed by heavy burdens.  

He also issues a chilling warning to those who are headed into sin, those who are “ sowing to the flesh”.

Chapter 6:1

Paul had difficulty with those in the Galatian churches who we often call legalists. They like the Pharisees probably applied law more harshly toward others than toward themselves and they concentrated on their own strengths and the weaknesses of others. We are not surprised then that Paul now deals with a common source of strife in the church. It appears from chapter 5 and particularly verse 15, that the Galatians were dealing rather harshly with each other, and Paul now deals with the subject of discipline.  

We must however be very careful about the context and distinguish this text from the other texts that deal with the subject of discipline.  We must be careful to note the circumstances and situations that the specific texts on discipline address and be careful how we relate it directly to any and every specific situation.  

In Matthew 18 Jesus gave us the general instructions on the process of rebuke and restoration.  He did not give specifics on particular situations.  

In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul looked at a problem in the Corinthian church where the church was proud of their ‘tolerance’ and ‘love’ but where even the pagans were shocked by the behavior of a man in the church, who was known to be living with his father's wife.   

The sin was certainly polluting the purity of the church and the harboring of such a sin was unconscionable.  Paul commanded that a person committing such a flagrant sin be thrown out, disfellowshipped and handed over to Satan for punishment; the destruction of his flesh.  

But here in Galatians 6 we have a different kind of case. Here Paul calls for the exercise of judgment and the application of mercy.

Verse 1.  Note that Paul does not refer to someone whose life is characterized by sin. The church is addressed as brethren, calling on Christians as a body, to deal with the sin of a saint. The Greek term that is translated “ caught”, suggests that the saint was caught off guard.  

There is no hint that there is a calculated, premeditated, or habitual sin but a person was snared into sin by a surprise temptation.  This is not the case of a wilful, continual violation of Old Testament Law, New Testament standards, or even pagan morality.  The sin was unexpected and has overcome the believer, who now needs help, for he cannot bear his burden alone.  

Clearly there is a difference between being ‘overtaken’ in a fault and when one engages in sinful, deliberate planning, plotting and contrivance. 

This picture is of someone running away from sin, but sin is faster than he is and so overtakes and catches him. He is seized without warning, suddenly invaded and grabbed before he is aware.  

We are all generally aware that there is a tendency in the church to either pretend sin never happened or to treat the one who has sinned too harshly.  

Paul calls on the church to respond in order to restore the saint.  This is in contrast to Matthew 18:15-18 where the sinner is to be reproved and if necessary separated and in 1 Corinthians 5:2-13 where the church's responsibility is to remove the sinner.

Those brethren who have wisdom and experience in dealing with divine issues, should work to restore the sinner; get him back on his feet, so that he can march in line with the army and be led by the Spirit of God.  

The word ‘restore’ was used to describe mending torn fishing nets, or setting broken bones or setting back in joint dislocated bones.  Interestingly in Ephesians 4:12 the word is used to mean  ‘equipping’ the Saints.  

The task of restoring the sinning brother was not to be undertaken by novices in the faith but by those who are spiritual, that is, those who are mature in the faith and who walk by the Spirit.

(See 1 Corinthians 2:15 and Hebrews 5:13-14)  

These people are mature and they manifest the qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.  They are qualified whether or not they are in positions of official leadership.  If they are spiritual they have the necessary qualifications and can then do the restoration in a spirit of gentleness, not seeking to hurt, or to encourage the sinner to remain in his sin, or to sin again. This delicate work of restoration must be done gently, for there is a danger when one tries to restore a sinning saint.  

The restoring Saints must be sensitive to temptation and sin and be always conscious that they themselves are not immune from falling into sin.  They know and have been through temptation, they know their own weakness and since they are willing to admit that they themselves are capable of falling into the same temptation, they will do the restoring in the power of the Holy Spirit. They will not feel they can do it in their own strengths, because they are super Christians.  They are dominated by love, gentleness, goodness, and kindness, the essential fruit of the Spirit.  

Meekness of course is that kind of spirit toward God where we accept his dealings without passionate and contrary argument.  As applied to men, it would indicate that meek persons would endure the provocations often found in this work of restoration and not become frustrated or withdraw from the task at hand.  

Believers, even mature believers must understand, that one can fall in a moment when one is not watching carefully.  Like the people in the ‘Seven Churches of Asia ’, we can fall from our first love, become seduced and not even recognize it. It is therefore most important that we all look out for each other.   

The Spirit teaches us that mercy should be shown in this type of case with a view to restoration.  Those who are spiritually strong must be careful to maintain a proper sense of the value of every individual and an intense sympathy to participate in the saving work with Jesus.

Verse 2.  Some brethren have burdens, something that the sinner cannot bear himself, either because he is weak, or because of the extent of control the load has over him.  This person cannot bear his load and he needs help.  We are our brother's keeper and must restore and help  those burdened by the circumstances of life to recover; whether in the event of specific sins that have overtaken them unexpectedly or in the event of the general infirmities, trial and troubles that affect people.  

A believer led by the Spirit will give a helping hand with what is for others literally ‘weights’, something that exceeds the strength of those under them.  

This word is different from the word translated burdens in verse 5, which means a load which is proportionate to one's strength.   

We repeat, that this verse teaches that believers should sustain and help each other, especially when they see another believer about to stumble under their load, the oppressive weights of temptation and spiritual failure.  Those who are mature can do the work of restoration, while others can assist, by praying and encouraging the weak.  

This kind of action fulfills and is totally consistent with love, which is the Law of Christ.  We must show sympathy with and compassion toward each other.  

Note we are reminded that God often meets our needs through other Christians.  There should be no such thing as ‘just me and Jesus’.

Verse 3.  We can only be our brother's keeper when we are led by the Spirit.  This kind of good behavior will only be found, if believers lay aside attitudes of conceit and feelings of spiritual pre-eminence, that cause a person to feel that they are above failure and untouched by the frailties of other men.  

If a person does not have the kind of love which bears, hopes, and endures all things, but is harsh, overbearing and constantly thinks evil of others, they are nothing but mentally deceived.  This one is overestimating his ability, his true position, his piety and what he really is in the sight of God.  One writer states:

“ Self conceit is bought self deceit: as it is inconsistent with that charity we owe to others (for charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 1 Corinthians 13:4), so it is a cheat upon ourselves; and there is not a more dangerous cheat in the world that self deceit.”  

When Paul says “we are nothing” he clearly means that when we disdain sinners, we are really showing pride in our own self-righteousness and that makes us nothing, for we are taking credit for the results of the grace of God in our life.  

No one is superior to the other, for as 1 Corinthians 4:7 tells us, everything we have we have received.  We cannot boast except in God for his grace has given us everything.

Verse 4.  The person who thinks that he is something, forgetting that everything he has, has been given to him and that he is only a servant, can cure himself by look at what he has done or accomplished; instead of concentrating on the weaknesses of others. He should step back and instead of elevating himself at the expense of others, he should focus on his own responsibility and accountability before God.  He should look at the life of Christ and then compare himself against that life, instead of comparing himself with other men.  

If his life and work stand the test, then he should rejoice or take pride in what God has done through his life. This leads to personal rejoicing.  

To whom much is given much is required and since all of us have different strengths and intellectual capacities, it is foolish to compare oneself to other men and then boast.  One should only compare one's performance to the ability God has given to that individual personally, and then see if they are living up to their potential.  If they have lived up to their potential, only then they can rejoice personally, remembering then that boasting must be in what God has done through them, for the good they accomplished was done solely because of God.  

The passage teaches that a man should glory in regard to what he himself alone has done and not glory in regard to comparing himself with others, fancying that he has the right to boast because he is superior to his neighbor.  One writer summarizes after looking at Romans 12:3, 6; 1 Corinthians 12:4-18; Ephesians 4:7; 1 Peter 4:10; and the Parable of the Stewards in Matthew 25:14-30  

“ The point is that every believer is given a different measure of faith and a different measure of grace, and thus no one can compare himself to others.  We can only evaluate ourselves in the light of the measure of grace God has given us.

How easy it is to respond to the sin of a fellow saint by feeling smugly superior, and by looking down on him or her.  However, this response misses the point of Christianity.  On the one hand, we are to bear the burden of others, rather than to impose burden on them (such as the burden of condemnation and the rigorous, excessive requirements of legalism). 

On the other hand we should be humbled by remembering that just as God will not judge us in comparison with others, neither do we dare compare ourselves with others, especially those who have fallen into a certain sin (of which we are not guilty).”

Verse 5.   Note that there are two burdens. One burden or weight is that of are those Christians who we are to help with an attitude of humility and gentleness. To do that a person must get rid of haughtiness, high-handedness and pride, taking the ‘beam out of their own eye’ first, recognizing the fact that they too might fall to sin.  

Every believer has another burden, their own and they have their own set of responsibilities and assignments from God.  God expects certain achievements from all believers and he has given gifts to enable us to properly execute our role.  We should not feel proud simply because we are able to carry a little more than others, for in fact Jesus might not have full control of us, and as a result we might not be doing as much as we can.  Comparison with others is never sensible.

SHARING BURDENS TO SHARING BLESSINGS

Paul now continues, stressing the responsibility of those who have been given particular blessings.  The brethren are given instructions on sharing with those who teach, then he deals with the principle of sowing and reaping, and in doing so he addresses those who are deceived and those who are headed toward deception.

Verse 6.  Sharing the good things that we have been given with those who teach us is now put forward, as one way of helping to bear the burden of others, since genuine and qualified teachers  are under compulsion (a special burden) to preach and proclaim the Word of God. This is also a reminder for those with gifts, that with theses gifts come a burden that must be carried.  

This shows us that the church has an obligation to support the teaching ministry, but there's more to it than money.  

The concept of sharing “ all good things” obviously involves mutual participation in ministry both with and to other members of the church.  Certainly having fellowship materially with those in need and in ministry demonstrates our unity and interdependence.  Sharing in all respects is participation in Paul's ministry to others, and so the teaching is that more is involved than just sharing in the financial or material way, though this is encouraged.  

Note however that the teacher is also free to minister without charging and the church is not always obligated to pay those who are teachers.  Paul did make it clear that he had a right to be supported, but he emphasized that he was free to waive this support.  

Also note this caution about paying teachers from one writer:

“ Just because a person is a self-proclaimed teacher is no basis for our obligation to him… Frankly, there are a large number of “teachers” who should not be encouraged because of their shoddy methods and message even if it is an orthodox one..

Those who are “FALSE Apostles” (2 Corinthians 11:13) or “ FALSE brethren” (Galatians 2:4) should surely not be supported in their ministry, for to do so would be to participate in their evil deeds (2 John 10-11).”  

Note also that there was a great difference between Paul's ministry where being single, he could travel from one place to another, and the ministry of teachers in the Galatians church who were probably married and had families to support.

Verse 7-8.  Remember that we cannot get around God.  God has determined that there must be moral behavior and fruit bearing, and he is neither incapable or uninterested in carrying out his work.  We must never trifle with God, but we must always remember that we can never stand before him on the Day of Judgment laughing that we got away with anything.  

God has determined that what is sown is what will be reaped.  The work of the believer is likened to the work of a farmer, and believers are told that they must sow seeds.  

All the many thousands of individual thoughts and deeds, and the choices we make on a daily basis are really seed sowing.  

The warning is that if we cuddle and comfort the flesh, nurse grudges, keep grievances, constantly dwell on impure fantasies, waste time on immersing ourselves into things of the world, such as immoral Devil inspired TV and radio programs and pornography, we are sowing to the flesh.  Proverbs 24:30-35 describes the results of this activity.  One writer puts it this way:

“ Our present time is seed time: in the other world there will be a great harvest, and as the husbandman reaps in the harvest according as he sows in the seedness, so we shall reap then as we sow now.  And he further informs us (v.8) that, as they are two sorts of seedness, sowing to the flesh and sowing to the Spirit, so accordingly with the reckoning be hereafter; If we sow to the flesh, we shall of the flesh reap corruption. If we sow the wind, we shall reap the whirlwind.

Those who live a carnal sensual life, who instead of employing themselves to the honor of God and the good of others, spend all their thoughts, and care, and time, about the flesh, must expect no other fruit of such a course than corruption, a mean and short-lived satisfaction at present, and ruin and misery at the end of it.”  

The writer however moves on to contrast this with what the true believer will experience.  He writes:

“But, on the other hand, those who sow to the Spirit, who under the guidance and influence of the Spirit do live a holy and spiritual life, a life of devotedness to God and of usefulness and serviceableness to others, may depend up on it that of the Spirit they shall reap life everlasting-they shall have the truest comfort in their present course, and an eternal life and happiness and end of it.”  

Then he warns:

“ Those who go about to mock God do but deceive themselves.  Hypocrisy in religion is the greatest folly as well as wickedness, since the God we have to do with can easily see through all our disguises, and will certainly deal with us hereafter, not according to our professions, but our practices.”  

Led us remember that the day is coming when the Lord will return to earth to do away with wickedness and reign in honor  and righteousness will govern.  Corruption as well as eternal life are ideas God has warned us about, and he encourages us to participate in eternal life, which will begin when we receive life in his son Jesus Christ.  

Note also that the focus is not on outward circumstances, for the lives of people who sow to the flesh will not necessarily fall apart immediately.  Many selfish and wicked people seem to get along just fine in life.  We should not be confused by looking only at the outward things and the benefits that seem to come from sowing to the flesh.  It is certain that there will be a bitter harvest of sowing to the flesh.  

It is a sure thing that corruption is going on inside the wicked and their godlessness and darkness which multiplies, in them will lead to eternal corruption.

Verse 9.  Accordingly we are cautioned not to lose heart in doing good, not to be discouraged by the hardship of today but to keep on making the right choices, sowing the right seed.  We must start doing what is good:

-valuing what God values

-investing in the life of others,

-being a blessing to other people

-bringing light where there is darkness,

-         bringing truth where there is error,

-         -supporting those who are in need,

-         -sharing Christ with everyone that we meet. 

Our good choices will bring results in due season, in the right time.  God determines the time when the sowing will bear fruit.  

It might take longer than we want and fruit might come in a different form that we expected.  But remember that God's timing is in his control and we must never lose heart.  

Just look at it.  If you are sowing misery, determine to sow to the Spirit and make the choices dictated by the Spirit for your future. One can frequently get disheartened, for sowing is often a difficult, time-consuming and wearisome process.  Sometimes one can barely put one foot before the other and there seems to be no reason to be cheerful.  

But God wants us to slug it out.  The Spirit has all the power necessary, and we will succeed for sure.  God will make sure of that, for he has reserved our reward already for us, and so perseverance in well doing is wise, is in our interest, as well as being our duty.  

We are all prone to weariness, anxious for immediate reward.  We feel that like the TV program, the problem begins up front and by the half an hour ending everything is beautiful.  That is why  many have fallen into the trap of the world, teaching that “ success” as measured by the measurement tools of the world is the goal, rather than faithfulness and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ and his Word.

Verse 10.  We must be positive, and look for opportunities to be of help, not just focusing on our difficulties.  So let all of us slow down at what we are doing and actively seek the opportunities planting seeds in the Spirit while there is yet time.  

If we concentrate on finding opportunities which are always constantly around us, we will become so excited that our heartbeat will change for the better. 

CONCLUSION

The warning is that there is really no state of sinless perfection and total freedom from inward conflict.

The grace which the Christian has received in Christ must be shared with others.  

It is the responsibility of the church to restore the stumbling saint, and the mature individuals in the church must minister based on their specific gift and calling.  

Each case of sin must be handled in light of the specific circumstance of the individual who has fallen and each case must be handled individually and in context.  

Rebuke is only required when the rebellion is present or repentance is refused.  Note 1 Thessalonians 5:14.  

The principle of bearing one another's burdens applies to helping in the failures in the life of a saint, as well as supporting those who teach us and helping them in carrying their burden.  There is complete interdependence in the body of Christ.  

Our text doesn't give any believer a license to meddle in the life of others.  We must make sure we examine ourselves, and fulfill our own potential, not comparing ourselves to others and considering that we are doing more than somebody else.  Everything we have, have been given to us and we cannot boast.  

The principle of sowing and reaping should give a new sense of urgency to us.  

We should be reminded of the importance to us of the Word of God in the life and growth of the Christian.  We must place a high priority on the teaching of the Word of God.  

We must invest by sowing in the Spirit.  

Finally, members of the body of Christ are one family, whether they be Jew or Gentile.  Those sanctified in Jesus Christ are called the Saints and are special to God and in covenant relationship with him and with each other.  

We must do good to the brethren, those who are called the household of faith, those whose faith has made them members of the household of God.  They have first claim on us and must be given priority.  But we must do good to all men, that is incumbent on us.  

Led us make sure that everything we have is invested in the Spirit.