Across the Pastor’s Desk

By the Rev. George Marin, Grace Christian Church

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessings if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9

The Apostle Paul wrote these very powerful words to the church in the city of Galatia. He was addressing the matters of faith and perseverance with them. As important as these words were to the believers in their day so they are equally if not more important to us today! Let’s break down what the Apostle Paul said to the church, and let’s apply it to our lives today.

1. Paul said, “Let’s not get tired.” Are you serious?! This is crazy talk! Who doesn’t get tired? Everyone gets tired. It’s impossible not to get tired. The apostle is not just dealing with tiredness of the body or mind, he is referring mostly to emotional and spiritual fatigue. You see, we as believers in Jesus Christ, are not to operate according to our own strength or energy. We operate according to the strength and power the Holy Spirit gives to us. The Apostle Paul said in another instance, “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power!” When we remain connected to the source of true spiritual power, Jesus Christ, we are empowered to do all that He has called us to do. We are able to go above and beyond any physical limits that we might have if we were not empowered by the Lord! If you are tired and worn out, remember what Jesus said, “Come unto me, all you who are stressed out and heavily burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

2. He then said, “Doing what is good.” Let’s face it, good things can wear you out as easily as bad things. The Apostle Paul was encouraging believers to not become tired of doing what is good. Many people, for some reason, think that when they give their hearts to Christ all their problems are over. Nothing could be further from the truth! We must understand when walking with Christ there is clearly a battle that wages — the good fight of faith. There is an enemy of our soul that does not want to see us successful in our walk with the Lord and that will do whatever is necessary to discourage us from sticking it out in that relationship. The Psalmist David spoke of this when he saw evil men prevailing and the righteous losing. At certain times in life that’s how things appear, that true believers come up on the short end of the stick. Take heart believer. You will come out on the winning side if you stick it out with Jesus! He is the victor; He purchased every victory on Calvary’s cross. He really meant it when he cried out, “It is finished!” The devil has lost for eternity and the Lord and His people are victorious forevermore! So do not be discouraged in doing what is good. Do not become disheartened when doing what is right and good in life. Keep your chin up; keep your guard up!

3. “At the right time you will reap a harvest!” Since the beginning of time, the Lord declared there would be seed time and harvest. In the New Testament, we read, “Do not be deceived, God will not be mocked, whatever a man sows, that’s what he’s going to reap.” It’s as simple as that! Whatever we plant, we are going to reap. One important fact to remember is that whatever amount we sow, we will reap more than the amount of the seed. Paul was encouraging believers in planting good seed — you will at the right time reap a bountifully good harvest! Our spiritual vision should always be on the bigger picture, not just the present sowing but the future harvest. Even if you are weeping while you are sowing and it is a time of heaviness for you, do not be discouraged, the Bible declares, “That which is sown in tears shall be reaped in joy!” The Lord looks out for His people. He never leaves them without seed. The same one who gives the seed is the same one who blesses the harvest. Be encouraged today, believer… keep sowing that good seed, and you will reap a good harvest!

4. Now, here is the key to everything we’ve looked at so far — the final point in this verse, “If we don’t give up!” Everything hinges on this. Whatever we go through, whatever we face in our spiritual journey, we just simply cannot give up! I remember my childhood pastor teaching a lesson called “A winner never quits and a quitter never wins!” I never forgot that from a child. We must realize that God is on our side. The Apostle Paul wrote in another verse, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” The God of glory, the creator of heaven and earth, the one that holds everything in His hands is on our side. Maybe some of you have thought, “If God is on my side, why do I have so many problems?” I would say, just think of the problems you’d have if God wasn’t on your side! It takes courage, it takes discipline, it takes tenacity, but more than anything else, it takes the strength of the Lord to stick it out as a follower of Jesus! This life of Christianity is not for the faint of heart, it for those who will abandon all for Christ, and we cannot under any circumstance give up! Be encouraged, if your strength is low today run to Jesus! He will strengthen you and will empower you to make it to the end!