Sowing the Good

 

“Let us not become weary in doing good…”

—Galatians 6:9a

Whenever I watch a police procedural drama on television, I am always pleased when the perpetrator is caught and punished. In contrast, I have acquaintances who always root for the perpetrator of the crime. Not me. I want to see the perp get what he or she deserves.

As a result of my strong desire for justice, there are certain television shows I will not watch. I will not watch any show where an evil person does bad things for a so-called “good” purpose. Nor will I watch any television program that glorifies evil or wrongdoing.

Getting what one deserves and focusing on “good” is the theme that the Apostle Paul takes up in Galatians 6:7-10:

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

This passage of Scripture seems quite clear to me. We dare not mock God by our behavior. Simply, God will not be mocked. Likewise, we will reap whatever we sow. Therefore, it makes sense to do our best to behave in a way that honors God and that focuses on doing good.

At the same time, we must always remember that doing good is not a means of salvation. We do not earn our way to forgiveness. God has given us forgiveness as a gift through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Doing good is our way of showing obedience and gratitude to our God who loves us with His everlasting love.

As we launch off into this new day, it seems quite clear that we must ask the Holy Spirit to enable us to do good toward those who cross our pathway. And, we must particularly do good for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Imagine how blessed we will be if we do, indeed, respond, in obedience, to this admonition from the Apostle Paul.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2015

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