Daily Thought

This chapter spells out what life in the Spirit actually means. Galatians, above almost every other book in the Bible, has strongly stressed that salvation does not issue from good works. As Paul ends, he emphasizes equally strongly that salvation manifests itself in good works. Free from the law’s bondage, we are nonetheless called to fulfil the law of Christ, to obey what He commanded and to live the way He lived. That means living for the blessing of others. We are exhorted to carry the burdens of our fellow Christians, to help them in their weaknesses and problems, and to share their difficulties and sufferings. That includes gently seeking to restore brothers and sisters overtaken by sin. We must do so free from all moral superiority, conscious of our own tendency to fall. We are called to support financially those who enrich us spiritually by their teaching of God’s word. In everything, we must sow to the Spirit, not the flesh, looking to reap an eternal harvest of resurrection glory.

That glorious future is sure but it demands present perseverance. It is our task to do good without giving up. Wherever there is human pain and distress, the Christian should be at hand to help with his time, his talent, and his treasure. In our global village, overexposure to the news of wars and earthquakes, famines and tidal waves, disasters of every kind often leads to ‘compassion fatigue’. We should resist that temptation. We must not become weary in well doing. Whether in distant lands or in our own communities, we must be eager to provide practical aid and spiritual help to all in need, following in the steps of our Master. However, we must pay special attention to the needs of all those with whom we share a Father in heaven, the fellow members of the worldwide family of faith. Our brothers and sisters in Christ have the primary claim on our aid. Opportunities to do good abound. Let us seize them.

Paul takes up the pen from the scribe to conclude the Epistle in his own handwriting. With bold letters, he brings us to the cross of Christ. The world disdains it. The Christian glories in it. It is our only source of eternal salvation and endless exultation. Let us never cease to glory in our Saviour’s death for us.