Galatians 6:6-18 Closing Thoughts

The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith....Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh....The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

 In his closing comments, Paul leaves us with a few thoughts.

First, in regards to full-time ministry. Those who devote themselves to teaching should be supported by those who receive. He addresses this issue in more detail in 1 Corinthians. "Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?...For it is written in the Law of Moses, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING.”...If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?" [1 Corinthians 9:7-11 NASB]

So we should honor those who teach us, and share with them from what God has provided to us.

In verse 7, he goes back to his previous discussion of the works of the flesh vs the fruit of the Spirit. If you feed the flesh, the flesh will prevail. If you feed the Spirit, the Spirit will prevail. Jesus said, “For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart." [Luke 6:43-45 NASB] In the same way, the works of the flesh cannot produce spiritual results.

In a similar vein, we reap good results when we do good. Being spiritual is not about "pie in the sky", ethereal thoughts; sequestering yourself from the world in order to commune with God. Being led by the Spirit means that He will lead you to do good works. These good works are not an effort to please God, or follow any law or set of rules saying, "You should do these good things." Rather, they are done in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

So being spiritual in origin and practical in nature, good works will reap eternal rewards. Don't get caught again in the trap of the law - doing good works because they are expected of you - but be led by the Spirit.

May you know God's grace in all that you think and do.