Galatians 6:6-10: a reflection

6But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches. 7Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up. 10So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.

Paul encourages the Galatians not to give up in doing good, promising that the harvest will come in its own time if they persevere. Let us not be weary in doing good, he says, for we will reap in due season if we don't give up. Paul knows how easy it is to grow weary in well-doing, to tire of doing good when the results are not immediately seen, and to be tempted to give up. And his encouragement is this: the harvest will come, in due season, if we do not give up. The good we sow will be reaped, though not always at once; perseverance is needed, and the harvest is promised to those who do not give up. This encourages perseverance in doing good, trusting the harvest will come in its time. Don't grow weary in doing good; the harvest comes in due season. Persevere in well-doing; you will reap if you don't give up. The harvest of good comes in its time to those who persevere. Do not give up doing good; the reaping will come.

Notice both the honesty and the promise in Paul's words. He is honest that we can grow weary in doing good; it is a real temptation, especially when the good we do seems to bear no fruit, when results are slow or unseen, when our efforts seem to go unrewarded. In such times we are tempted to give up, to stop doing good. But Paul gives a promise to hold onto: we will reap in due season if we do not give up. The harvest is coming; the good we sow will be reaped; but the reaping comes in its own season, not always at once, and it comes to those who persevere and do not give up before the harvest. This is a real encouragement to keep doing good even when we see no immediate result. The lack of visible fruit now does not mean the harvest will not come; it comes in due season. We are called to keep sowing good, persevering, trusting God for the harvest in his time. Persevere in doing good; the harvest comes in its season, not always at once. Do not give up before the reaping; the harvest is promised. Keep doing good even when you see no fruit yet. The reaping comes in due season to those who persevere.

That is worth taking to heart, for the harvest of good comes in due season to those who do not give up, and we are called to persevere in doing good even when we see no immediate fruit. We can grow weary in well-doing when results are slow or unseen, and be tempted to give up; but Paul promises we will reap in due season if we do not give up. The harvest is coming, in its own time. Do not grow weary in doing good, nor give up before the harvest; keep sowing good, trusting the reaping will come in due season. Do not grow weary in doing good, but persevere, trusting that you will reap in due season if you do not give up, as Paul encouraged the Galatians not to be weary in well-doing, for the harvest comes in its own time to those who do not give up; for we can grow weary in doing good, especially when the good we do seems to bear no fruit and our efforts seem to go unrewarded, and be tempted to give up, but the harvest is coming, the good we sow will be reaped, though not always at once, and it comes in due season to those who persevere and do not give up before it, so that the lack of visible fruit now does not mean the harvest will not come, and we do well to keep sowing good, persevering and trusting God for the reaping in his time rather than giving up.

Lord, Paul encourages the Galatians not to give up in doing good, promising that the harvest will come in its own time if they persevere. Let us not be weary in doing good, he says, for we will reap in due season if we don't give up. Paul knows how easy it is to grow weary in well-doing, to tire of doing good when the results are not immediately seen, and to be tempted to give up. And his encouragement is this: the harvest will come, in due season, if we do not give up. The good we sow will be reaped, though not always at once; perseverance is needed, and the harvest is promised to those who do not give up. Show me both the honesty and the promise in Paul's words. He is honest that I can grow weary in doing good; it is a real temptation, especially when the good I do seems to bear no fruit, when results are slow or unseen, when my efforts seem to go unrewarded. In such times I am tempted to give up. But Paul gives a promise to hold onto: I will reap in due season if I do not give up. The harvest is coming; the good I sow will be reaped; but the reaping comes in its own season, not always at once, and it comes to those who persevere. This is a real encouragement to keep doing good even when I see no immediate result. The lack of visible fruit now does not mean the harvest will not come. Take that to my heart, for the harvest of good comes in due season to those who do not give up. When I grow weary in doing good and see no fruit, keep me from giving up; help me persevere, Lord, sowing good and trusting that I will reap in due season if I do not give up, that the harvest will come in its own time.