Are You the Exception? - Devotion on Galatians 6:1-10

 

Galatians 6:1-10 – Are You the Exception?

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. ⁵ For each one shall bear his own load.

⁶ Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

⁷ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ⁸ For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. ⁹ And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

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Anyone who farms and/or has a garden understands the truth, “You reap what you sow.” This is not only about planting seeds and basic watering, but also proper watering, the quality and quantity of fertilization, weeding/pruning/chopping/etc., understanding timing, how the climate comes into consideration, the list goes on. à We should care about this concept not only in agricultural pursuits, but in every aspect of our lives, because no one is safe from reaping what he or she sows in any way! You overeat, you drink too much, you look at porn, you engage in sex outside of marriage (or dream about it), your temper is the size of a flea, your gossiping would make a sailor blush, your ego is so large if it were inflated it would still be too big…or you work hard, you exercise regularly and properly, you eat healthily, you study the Bible, you pray with your spouse and kids, you regularly participate in a Bible-believing church…you get the drill. “He who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (v. 8).

Let us consider such things when gathering with “the household of faith.” A body of believers (or local church) that cares about living by the Bible will engage in the traits of the above passage. Does your church come alongside other believers “overtaken in any trespass,” working to “restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted (v. 1)?” Does your church engage in “bear[ing] one another’s burdens (v. 2),” working on humility/calling out pride (even in leaders, v. 3-4), and expecting hard work (discouraging laziness, v. 4-5)? Does your church share in the goodness of the Lord by doing good to each other (v. 6, 9-10)? Then, do they take that goodness and, together, spread it to others through evangelism, missions, and compassion ministries (also v. 9-10)?

Remember, God has placed eternity on the hearts of all mankind (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We will exist forever, which means after this life our souls are translated to an everlasting Heaven or cast into the eternal torment of Hell. What we sow may reap rewards seen in an eternal Heaven or Hell rather than in this life. Many are living life to the fullest, casting aside any care about morality and sin, and will find their utter shock in eternal torment. Others are striving to sincerely do good in this world, seemingly being solid outward examples of the command, “Love thy neighbor as thyself” (Leviticus 19:18). Unfortunately, without the inward work of salvation in Jesus Christ they will find their good works “are like a polluted garment,” no longer good for anything but throwing out (Isaiah 64:6). They, sincerely good people in this world, will also experience the everlasting fires of Hell, because “there is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10).

The only true goodness that reaps eternal rewards is through the blood of Jesus Christ forgiving your sin and cleansing you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Being good isn’t enough, righteousness is the standard for eternity in Heaven. It is only possible through Jesus Christ declaring us righteous (Matthew 5:48; Philippians 3:8-9).

 

The Same Post without Scripture References:

Anyone who farms and/or has a garden understands the truth, “You reap what you sow.” This is not only about planting seeds and basic watering, but also proper watering, the quality and quantity of fertilization, weeding/pruning/chopping/etc., understanding timing, how the climate comes into consideration, the list goes on. à We should care about this concept not only in agricultural pursuits, but in every aspect of our lives, because no one is safe from reaping what he or she sows in any way! You overeat, you drink too much, you look at porn, you engage in sex outside of marriage (or dream about it), your temper is the size of a flea, your gossiping would make a sailor blush, your ego is so large if it were inflated it would still be too big…or you work hard, you exercise regularly and properly, you eat healthily, you study the Bible, you pray with your spouse and kids, you regularly participate in a Bible-believing church…you get the drill. “He who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”

Let us consider such things when gathering with “the household of faith.” A body of believers (or local church) that cares about living by the Bible will engage in the traits of the above passage. Does your church come alongside other believers “overtaken in any trespass,” working to “restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted?” Does your church engage in “bear[ing] one another’s burdens,” working on humility/calling out pride, and expecting hard work? Does your church share in the goodness of the Lord by doing good to each other? Then, do they take that goodness and, together, spread it to others through evangelism, missions, and compassion ministries?

Remember, God has placed eternity on the hearts of all mankind. We will exist forever, which means after this life our souls are translated to an everlasting Heaven or cast into the eternal torment of Hell. What we sow may reap rewards seen in an eternal Heaven or Hell rather than in this life. Many are living life to the fullest, casting aside any care about morality and sin, and will find their surprise in eternal torment. Others are striving to sincerely do good in this world, seemingly being solid outward examples of the command, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Unfortunately, without the inward work of salvation in Jesus Christ they will find their good works “are like a polluted garment,” no longer good for anything but throwing out. They, sincerely good people in this world, will also experience the everlasting fires of Hell, because “there is none righteous, no not one.”

The only true goodness that reaps eternal rewards is through the blood of Jesus Christ forgiving your sin and cleansing you from all unrighteousness. Being good isn’t enough, righteousness is the standard for eternity in Heaven. It is only possible through Jesus Christ declaring us righteous.