Galatians 6:6-18

Galatians - Sowing and Reaping

Galatians 6:6-18
And so we come to the end of our journey through Galatians. What a fruitful journey it has been? Or has it? Certainly it has been an enjoyable time – what is not to enjoy about digging into the grace of God week after week. To be constantly reminded that God loves us because he loves us. That God’s love is not, and has never been, dependent on our religious activity. That we were chosen before the beginning of the world, that before we were even a glint in our parent’s imagination we had a fixed place in the mind of God. This is grace, this realisation that our foundation is secure and that from that foundation we can now live to please GOD.
But has this journey been fruitful? – Well only time will tell, and this is the subject of our final devotion. In these verses Paul reminds us of what he has already said, and does so in his own hand. It does make me chuckle that the inspired word of God includes verse 11:

“See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand”

But even this verse speaks of the grace of God at work in Paul’s life. There is no pride here, he has been dictating this letter to a friend, maybe one of his companions mentioned elsewhere in his letters, but now he picks up the quill himself and revealing his age and stage, reinforces the central themes of grace and utter dependence on Jesus.

But before this Paul introduces a final theme or thought – sowing and reaping. Paul has railed long and hard against legalism. But here he reminds us that where legalism robs us of grace – spiritual disciplines help us grow up in grace. Paul, like Jesus before him, fixes our eyes on the natural world to reveal to us a spiritual truth. We reap what we sow. If we want to reap the things of the sprit, the fruit outlined in chapter 5, we must sow into the spirit. It seems obvious, and yet how often do we lose sight of this simple but profound truth.

We have limited resources – time, money, energy etc. If we want to grow in the character of Christ, if we want to step into our kingdom inheritance, if we want to co-operate fully with the work of God in our lives, we must examine how we invest these resources. If I want to grow in God I must sow into my relationship with God. Reading the Word, time in prayer, fasting, serving others, going on being filled with the Holy Spirit. These were the rhythmic practices of Jesus. Through them Jesus, in his humanity, discerned the will of God and learnt to walk in the constant gaze of his heavenly father.  

Surely this is my desire for this Christmas and beyond into 2022. I want to reap a deeper relationship with God and a greater authority in the things of the Kingdom. How might I reap those things, well by sowing into the activities that help me grow in those areas. What if I get it wrong? What if I miss a day, or get disappointed – well then I rejoice in my foundation of grace which reminds me of the unconditional love of God and gets me back out there sowing the best I can – thank you Jesus.

Apply

  1. How are you’re spiritual disciplines right now?

  2. What small changes might you make as we move into 2022 to help you sow more consistently into those disciplines?

  3. Who could you chat to about these small changes who might hold you accountable?

Prayer

Father God,
 
Thank you for your unconditional love. Thank you that I can never fall out of your grace, I only ever fall into your grace. Fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit and help me to follow his leading into good rhythms of disciplined sowing into the things of God.
 
Amen.
This Everyday Devotions was written by Simon Elliott, who leads our team of Elders.

Simon unpacks these themes in more detail in his sermon message this week on our website, YouTube Channel and at our Online Church Services.

This Everyday Devotions has also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube Channel.
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