Sowing to the Spirit - Galatians 6:6-10

Sowing to the Spirit

Galatians 6:6-10

Introduction: Reaping what you sow. If you planted a bag of corn in your garden, you probably wouldn’t expect to harvest bushels of tomatoes… Paul is using another metaphor from agriculture that would have been crystal clear to his readers. They lived in an agrarian society. They saw the sowers and reapers doing their work at the appropriate time. A much higher percentage of the population was in fact directly involved in farming at some level. They knew about sowing and reaping, seedtime and harvest. There is a basic law of nature that we can observe, and that all must agree is truth: You will reap what you sow. In our passage today Paul is teaching that what is true about string beans and radishes is also true in the spiritual realm. If you sow to the Spirit you will reap the blessings of the abundant life that God intends for His people. If you sow to the flesh, the fallen, sinful human nature, you will reap the consequences. As clear as that is, there are some challenges in understanding and applying this passage!

The Maine* Idea: If we prioritize growth in our spiritual life, we can increasingly experience the abundant life for which we were created.

I. The Principle Anticipated: God has designed us to grow in discipling relationships (6).

⁶ And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches (NASB).

       As I start with this verse, I need to say that with humility and respect I am deviating from a long, well established tradition of how this verse was been read. Almost every commentary I have looked at, understands this verse to be referring to the responsibility of those who are taught the Word to contribute to the support of their pastor/teacher. Though I believe there are many passages which do speak to being a cheerful giver, and which call us to support the ministry of the local church, it does not seem to me that that is the primary sense of this verse. I asked for some counsel from one of my professors who literally wrote the book on interpreting Galatians [Moises Silva, Interpretting Galatians: Explorations in Exegetical Method] and he, with his typical gentleness and respect, expressed his doubts about the direction I am taking with this verse.  So, only with some fear and trembling, let me express my current understanding of what Paul is teaching.

       First of all, a couple of the key words grab our attention. The word translated “the one who is taught,” and also “the one who teaches,” both are variations of the same Greek verb, the root from which we get our English word, cathechism. The verb only occurs 8 times in the New Testament, two of them in this verse. In several of the contexts the word seems to carry the sense of careful, thorough, systematic instruction. Luke uses it for example when addressing Theophilus in the opening of his Gospel, expressing his purpose in writing, “…that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught…” (Lk 1:4). When referring to Apollos, Luke writes that he “…had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus…” (Acts 18:25). This sounds like discipleship, careful, systematic sharing of the truth with another. This idea is at the heart of the mission of the church. Most commentators would agree with this idea. So far so good!

       That which is to be “shared” with the teacher is “all good things.” The adjective usually qualifies a noun, but in several passages, as here, it is used absolutely, functioning as a noun. The traditional reading is that this refers primarily to financial support of the teacher. Though that may be possible, in other contexts that do clearly talk about giving, it seems to always be more explicit that the spiritual instruction by the teacher should lead to material support by the student (see I Cor 9:7-14). It seems to me that we would have to read that into this context, or find something else to drive us to that conclusion. John MacArthur says that the word translated here as good things

…is used in the New Testament primarily of spiritual and moral excellence. Paul uses this word in describing the gospel itself, the ‘glad tidings of good things’ (Rom 10:15). The writer to the Hebrews uses it in the same way of ‘the good things to come’ [Heb 9:11; cf. 10:1]… (Galatians p.182).

That is interesting, since in the passage we’re looking at today “eternal life” is specifically mentioned, and down in 6:15 Paul will refer to “a new creation.” The good things that are to be shared are the present blessings of the life of faith, the power of the Gospel and the Word transforming the heart and mind of those who believe. Believers have the indwelling Holy Spirit as a down payment, a pledge, of our future inheritance. As the future breaks into the present we are already experiencing the abundant life of blessing for which we were created! That is something worth sharing!

           “…share in all good things…” The verb “share” translates the verbal form of the root from which we get “fellowship” in English. It is used in a few contexts that clearly talk about giving, but usually there is something specific in the context to show when financial support is in view (for example, in Philippians 4:15, “…no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone…”). In some cases, where Paul specifically brings together the spiritual and the physical he’ll use a different verb to differentiate, as in Romans 15:27b, “…For if the Gentiles have come to share [koinoneo] in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service [“to render,” leitourgeo] to them in material blessings.” I don’t want to say this proves the case, but it is interesting how Paul distinguishes them.

      So, I surely don’t want to discourage you from giving and supporting the ministries of the church! The Bible does teach that giving is our responsibility. But I think this passage is talking about the present spiritual blessings that are available to us in Christ, that in some way, according to His plan, come to us through the “one another” relationships of the church, the mutual exhortation and encouragement and accountability that help us to grow in our faith, and encourage us to allow the Word of Christ to dwell richly within us. As we teach one another, we “share” the “good things” of God, and experience the blessings of the life of faith, as we walk with the King. Don’t miss that this verse begins with an imperative, a command, “do this.” This is “disciples making disciples.” We are to be disciples, and we all are to have a part in making disciples. It is not optional; it is God’s design for the church. And it begins in our heart, a heart set on knowing God and trusting Him. If we prioritize growth in our spiritual life, we can increasingly experience (and share!) the abundant life for which we were created.

II. The Principle Stated: You will reap what you sow, therefore, sow to the Spirit, prioritize the things of God (7-8).

⁷ Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.  ⁸ 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.

       “…Do not be deceived: God is not mocked…”  You can’t read that admonition in the context of this letter, and miss thinking about what is going on in the Galatian churches. They are in danger of being deceived by false teachers, “bewitched” as it were by their subtle perversion of the Gospel. Don’t let it happen! Hold fast to the truth. Why? Because “God is not mocked,” no one is fooling God in any of this. Having begun by faith, we need to continue in faith, from faith to faith, believing God, trusting Him for life and direction and empowerment, living by faith. To experience the abundant life that God desires for us, we need to “sow to the Spirit,” not the flesh.

       “…sow to the flesh… reap corruption…” This week we launched our Fall semester in the WOL Olympians program on Thursday night. The kids had a lot of fun as usual. The “big idea” in the lesson Mary Ann gave was drawn from the story of King Saul in I Samuel 15. The King was told by God to devote everything from the Amalakites to destruction. Instead he took their king prisoner and took the best of their animals as plunder. It was overt disobedience. And the consequence, announced by the prophet Samuel, was that the kingdom would be torn away from Saul, and given to another. The big idea of the lesson the kids learned was “trouble is on the way if you disobey.” Or, as Paul says here, if you sow to the flesh, from the flesh you will reap corruption. The word “corruption” could be translated “decay” or “disintegration.” Sowing to our sinful nature will lead to our life falling apart. Sin has consequences. You reap what you sow.  

      “…sow to the Spirit… reap eternal life…”  This is not saying that we are saved through “…sowing to the Spirit…” But it is talking about believers experiencing life the way it should be. Jesus said, “I came that you might have life, and that you might have it more abundantly…” John MacArthur summarizes this well…

The Christian who is preoccupied with the things of God rather than the fleshly things of the world will produce the fruit of the Spirit (5:22-23). To sow to the Spirit is the same as to walk by the Spirit (5:16), to be led by the Spirit (5:18) and to be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18). It is the same as abiding in Christ and in His Word and having His Words abide in us (John 8:31; 15:7). It is the same as walking in Christ (Col 2:6) and “setting one’s mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (3:2). It is the same as giving one’s body as a “living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God,” and not being “conformed to this world, but [being] transformed by the renewing or your mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom 12:1-2) [Galatians, p.189].

As you read that quote you might wonder, is this a description of someone who is “so heavenly minded that he is of no earthly good”?  I am glad you asked, since Paul answers that in the next two verses! He is saying that if we prioritize growth in our spiritual life, we can increasingly experience the abundant life for which we were created. As we do that, the good we have received will overflow in good works that are a blessing to those around us.

III. The Principle Applied: We are saved unto good works (9-10). The lament of the people in Psalm 4 asks, “Who will show us any good?” God would use us to show his character and to demonstrate his grace to the people around us.

⁹ And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.  ¹⁰ So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

      "And let us not grow weary of doing good…” Do you ever “grow weary,” even though you are doing good things? One reason we may “grow weary in doing good” is that often times, those “good works” are things which are behind the scenes and out of the spotlight. No one notices! The person we are helping may know, but maybe not, maybe it is only you and God. Are you ok with that? Is it really important that others, besides God, know? Then you have to ask, why are you doing it after all?

       I believe that we can also grow weary if we are doing things in our own strength, even though they are good, they may not be things for which we are called and gifted. I have been there, have you? We can’t do everything, we can’t meet every need we see. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. And as we persevere in doing what we are equipped to do, it won’t always be easy, but as we walk in the Spirit, as we trust God to guide and empower us, as we stay faithfully engaged in our part in God’s mission as we serve as a part of the church, we should not give up. We are saved to serve! We are not here to be consumers, sponges soaking up the truth but unavailable to help anywhere or anyone. Why?

       “…for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”  Don’t give up! Remember, we were saved by grace through faith, unto good works, which God before ordained that we should walk in them. He saved us on purpose, for a purpose, to use our gifts to encourage and build each other up, and somehow, by our life and by our testimony, to represent Christ to the world. We are His ambassadors. Can the struggle against sin, and life in a fallen world get us down? Only if we allow it to. Remember the end of this story and be encouraged. Jesus wins! In due season we will reap if we do not give up. Tim Keller said this may not always be so visible, but it is nonetheless certain and real…

But we need to realize that there are deeper harvests that happen even when we don’t meet with much outward success. We will find our own character changing deeply through ministry. Our consciences will be clear and our hearts happier, since we’re less self-indulgent. We’ll develop a less selfish and more satisfied character, which will serve us well when we are under pressure. We may not reap quickly, and we may not see all that we reap; but we can know that there is a great harvest for those who sow to please the Spirit (Keller, Galatians Kindle location 2337-2340).

       ¹⁰ “So then, as we have opportunity…” The day is coming when no man can work. But that is not today. Why did God save us and leave us in the world? He has a plan, a mission, and by grace we are included in it. How long? Do we retire or take time off from serving others as we serve God?  As long as we have life, we have work to do. Someone said, “God will give us work until our life is over, and life until our work is done.” So, while we have the opportunity, stay faithful!

       …let us do good to everyone… Not only to the lovely and the likeable, but to everyone in our sphere of influence, everyone we come in contact with. I asked our brother Richard this week what he thought that looked like. And he pointed to his brother being there to help adjust the wheels on his chair, and other acts of kindness they have been shown at this time. We see a need, and instead of waiting for someone else [Someone Else is a faithful friend!] step in and help.

       …and especially to those who are of the household of faith.  We have a special obligation to “one another.” God would use us to bear each other’s burdens, to encourage one another, to build each other up. I was surprised that by far the most repeated “one another” command is to “love one another.” And I think that ties in to the idea that we have a responsibility to one another, we have the same Father, we are part of the same family -- “household” implies as much. It describes a family unit. Because God has loved us, we should love Him back, and that should overflow in our love for each other.

What is God saying to me in this passage? If we prioritize growth in our spiritual life, we can increasingly experience the abundant life for which we were created.

What would God have me to do in response to this passage? If you planted a garden in the spring, and you did not grow weary weeding and watering through the summer, you are probably enjoying a harvest about now. If you planted corn, you aren’t harvesting strawberries! You reap what you sow. What about your spiritual life? Are so sowing to your sinful nature, or to the Spirit? One way to determine that is to consider how you invest your time. Do you give attention to Bible reading and prayer? Daily? Are you intentional about allowing the Word of Christ to dwell richly within you? Are you developing relationships in your life where you can sow into the lives of others, helping them to learn and grow in the faith? That can be working with children or youth in the ministries of the church. It can be meeting one-on-one with a brother or sister in Christ to encourage them in their faith. It can be through participating in a small group. If you are a member of this church, we are responsible for one another. Our mission is to make disciples and every ministry that we do should support that in some way.

      The emphasis here is on the spiritual. It is also true that how we use the material things with which we have been entrusted reveals something about where our heart is. Where your treasure is, there you heart will be also. Are we being good stewards, investing not only our time, but also our resources, in the things of God? A lot of things about the Christian life can be an act, but how we use our money shows what we really value. Let’s sow to the Spirit.  AMEN.