Galatians 6:9-10 9And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Human life has lots of ups and downs. No one can always live on top of the mountain. Most of life is lived in the valleys where the shadow of death always looms. The valleys are full of temptations, struggles, ridicule, doubts, and fears. Down in the valleys are where the unbelieving world lives, with its pains and sorrows. We are called to be lights in the darkness of the valleys. Part of being light is to do good and to help people. Jesus even calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Doing good is not always easy. We may have to step out of our comfort zones and stretch out in faith. Because we have crucified our old selves and are now living by faith in Christ, we will follow in his footsteps and have compassion on the lost and hurting. Doing good is a tangible expression of love.
Verse 9 expresses the motivation for doing good. Often, we will not see results of our efforts. It may take many years, even a lifetime, for any results of our good efforts to be evident. Sometimes, we will see nothing at all, but we can be assured that what we do will make a difference. Paul encourages the Galatians not to give up; they will reap from the good they have sown in the lives of others. Their witness will make a difference. In moments of discouragement, we also need to hear these words: do not give up. Even if people do not respond, God is watching us and will be well-pleased with our efforts. It is significant theologically that Paul earlier rejected “works of the law” in order to gain a righteous standing before God, but here Paul urges the Galatians to do good. Doing “good works” is important and even required of believers, but this must be done out of love and not out of a legalistic effort to be viewed as good before God. Doing good is the outworking of inward grace.
Verse 10 is the second part of the exhortation. The logic is simple: since we are assured of a harvest for our good efforts, we need to work even more at doing good. Paul gives two recipients of our good: everyone and the household of faith. That is all inclusive. It may be easier at times to do good to other believers, because hopefully they will respond with praise and thanksgiving. They will appreciate our efforts because they know we do it out of love. Non-believers may not see this. They may even reject our efforts. But that should never stop us. We do not do good to get a response from people but to please God and because we love our neighbors. That is all the motivation we need.
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