Galatians 6:6-10

Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 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. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Recap: The Need for Community and Burden-Bearing

Believers stumble, and even sometimes in ongoing sin. A spiritual person—demonstrating the fruits of the Holy Spirit, especially gentleness—should restore a brother or sister caught in a trespass. This is not just for elders or deacons, but for any spiritual believer, in a spirit of gentleness, to restore them to proper function in the church and prevent continual stumbling.

We must be wary: He who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall. Satisfaction comes not in safety from sin, but in God Himself—that is sanctification.

Legalism opposes community, preventing burden-sharing, especially the burden of sin. Comparing ourselves to others—"At least I'm not as bad as so-and-so"—leads to bearing our own burdens, resulting in struggle and suffering. True church life is burden-bearing through openness, honesty, and humility.

A Problem of Resolve

Christian community, repentance, and commitment are not one-time actions or a checklist. The problem of legalism, lack of fellowship, and weariness stems from a lack of resolve—commitment, endurance, and perseverance.

Consider the image of Pilgrim encumbered by a giant pack. Bearing one another's burdens prevents weariness. Sowing to the flesh bears one's own burden, leading to easy loss of endurance. Put aside every weight and run with endurance, as in Hebrews 12.

Holding onto sin's preciousness creates a weighty, wearisome life dragging toward hell. Only God's sheer grace prevents it. The Galatian issue is resolve: commitment to sow to the Spirit, with eternal consequences. Christ said, "He who endures to the end will be saved."

What are you resolved to be or do? Sowing to the flesh reaps corruption—literally "abortion," terminating life. Sowing to the Spirit reaps eternal life. As in Galatians 5:19-21, those practicing fleshly works will not inherit God's kingdom. Constant practice bars one from heaven's gates.

Five Resolutions for Sowing to the Spirit

1. Resolve to Preserve the Advancement of the Gospel

Share in all good things with him who teaches—materially and spiritually. Galatians defends the true gospel against false teachers worthy of anathema (Galatians 1).

Those taught the Word should support teachers materially, as in Romans 15:27: "If the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things." This aids gospel advancement locally, globally, and personally—not to enrich a church, but to advance the gospel.

Every believer teaches the gospel to one another. Spiritually, share humility and grace, as in 1 Peter 5:5: "All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Pastors need the body's ministry. Commitment preserves gospel integrity worldwide.

Do we commit to church for gospel advancement, or personal agenda? Come to receive Christ's grace through the body, equipped to administer it to others.

2. Resolve to Embrace Gospel Reality

Do not be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Legalism mocks God: outward righteousness, inward devotion to sin. Profession without lifestyle is false. "You will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:20). Fleshly works bar from heaven; Spirit's fruit brings eternal life.

Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.

Even those prophesying, casting out demons, and doing miracles may hear, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness" (Matthew 7:21-23). Legalists appear obedient externally but are lawless internally.

Embrace Christ reigning over all—who you are, think, and desire. Take every thought captive to Christ's obedience. "As a man thinks, so he is." Blessed is the man who does not dwell in the wicked's counsel (Psalm 1). True joy relishes God's glory inwardly and outwardly. If feeding flesh inwardly, run to the cross.

3. Resolve to Be Diligent in Gospel Nourishment

Agricultural language: Sow to flesh or Spirit. Flesh reaps corruption—fueling sinful desires that promise pleasure. Sin's pleasure makes it deceptive; works of flesh are an occupation yielding returns of temporary satisfaction, like a sin junkie.

We devalue sin as "lowercase," treating it as a hobby. But Galatians 1-5 emphasizes grace, faith, Spirit—not works for salvation. The regenerate sow diligently to the Spirit: love, patience, self-control. Do not quench, grieve, or resist Him. Cultivate His fruit for nourishment.

The Spirit operates through His Word, church, sacraments. Devotion outside these is self-deception; God is not mocked.

4. Resolve to Live for an Eternal Harvest

Sowing to flesh yields temporary harvest, immediate gratification ending in death. Sowing to Spirit may bring suffering (endurance, patience) but eternal life—eternal satisfaction in God.

Boredom signals only God satisfies. Job suffered for righteousness, yet repented and received double. Moses refused Egypt's treasures:

Choosing rather to endure ill treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.

Moses saw passing pleasures paling against enjoying the unseen God.

5. Resolve to Live for Benevolence

Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

"Good" (kalos) is attractive and useful—humble Christianity esteems others highly, contrasting the world's cutthroat ways. From grace upon grace (John 1; Ephesians 1), we bestow abundance freely, even to unbelievers, showing Christ's unconditional love.

To not grow weary:

1. Don't lose gospel enthusiasm—from vertical joy in God to horizontal service (Hebrews 6:7-10). Thorns yield worthlessness; grace produces useful fruit.

2. Don't be discouraged—rely on God's strength, not expectations (Nehemiah 6:9). Discouragers aim to halt God's work.

3. Don't fear difficulty—God is greater (David vs. Goliath, mighty men, Isaiah 41:8). God calls the unqualified to display His power.

Resolve: Serve with the Lord's joy, strength, and comforting presence, working all for good.