DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
Galatians 6:2-10
(9/23) Epistle
for Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week after Pentecost
Two Harvests: Galatians 6:2-10, especially vs. 8: “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap
corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting
life.” In Galatians 5:11-21, we are sternly reminded of two
opposite ways one may “walk” in this present life - 'in ways of
darkness' or 'paths of uprightness.'
Also, we know from the wisdom of God and experience that those who walk
in ways of darkness, “...fulfill the lust of the flesh,” a fact
that sooner or later becomes evident, for they produce the “...works of
the flesh...” (Gal. 5:16,19-21).
Thanks be to God for the faithful who choose to be led by
the Spirit, crucify their flesh and passions, follow upright paths, and yield
the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-25).
The two paths plainly “...are contrary to one another...” (Gal. 5:17), yielding very different “fruit” or
harvests according to the steps taken and their destinations. In the present reading the Apostle names
the two harvests as “...corruption...” and “everlasting
life” (vs. 8). His teaching
is obvious. You and I should walk
in the Spirit and labor for the harvest of eternal life. To this end, he presents seven habits of
life which we may struggle to adopt by the grace of God that yield the blessed
harvest.
First, he admonishes us to “Bear one another’s
burdens...” (vs. 2). This Apostolic rule is contrary to the
modern heresy of self-fulfillment.
The cult of self-actualization ignores saving faith and the healing Body
of Christ, and promotes instead independence and “doing my own thing.” May we bear one another’s burdens
in love, joy, and peace in the Church family (see Gal. 4:28) as children of one
Father and brethren of one another (Gal. 3:28; 4:6)!
Second, may “...each one examine
his own work...” and not to compare himself continually to others (Gal.
6:4). Primarily, each of us is accountable
to Christ and God our Father as the Holy Spirit reveals the Lord’s will
to us. The Church as home, school,
and hospital binds every one to all the others in Christ. Judging ourselves by others is a
sin. Rather, our needs call for
mutual support in the struggle set before us by the Lord: “Therefore you
shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Mt.
5:48). Each one stands before his
Master (
Third, as each is to examine himself, so also
“...each one shall bear his own load” (Gal. 6:5). Seek not to burden others, for the
Master permits every burden in our life as a means of spiritual growth. Our Pastors are ordained to help us
face, resolve, and grow from our burdens.
Fourth, concerning those who serve the Church full-time -
Pastors and teachers - the Apostle directs: “Let him who is taught the
word share in all good things with him who teaches” (vs. 6). Simply put: those who feed their
brethren the 'bread of the word' full-time depend on the rest for their 'daily
bread.' The exchange is fair and
just. Remember tithes and
offerings!
Fifth, a godly harvest does not come to those who fail to
sow, cultivate, and labor. So what if
some workers should come late in the day and are paid handsomely along with us
(Mt. 20:1-15)?! Resist weariness
“...while doing good...,” for “...if we do not lose
heart,” but persevere in the tasks assigned by the Master, God Himself
promises, “...we shall reap...” (Gal. 6:9).
Sixth, “...let us do good to all...” (vs. 10).
However, we are not held accountable to God for every need in this
world. The Lord sweeps away human
criteria for giving help. May the
parable of the Good Samaritan inform our understanding of the words “to all.” The
one I am to help is the one I encounter on the road. He is my neighbor (Lk.
10:29). Pray
concerning all appeals.
Finally, our primary kinship is in Christ - within the
Church. Our first obligation in any
giving of aid is to remember “...those who are of the household of
faith” (Gal. 6:10).
O Lord, by Thy grace, may I not stand idle nor apart from the harvest while it is day.
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