Day 264

Isaiah 37:1–38:22; Galatians 6:1-18; Psalm 65:1-13; Proverbs 23:24

TODAY WE CONCLUDED the letter to the Galatians, and the last chapter alone gave us straightforward and practical advice that needs no explanation. This is not Paul’s attempt at summary tips for better living, however. Rather, it’s the kind of advice that invites personal examination. Let’s look at the final counsel from Paul and consider whether we share his heart’s posture:

• Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. (Galatians 6:2-3)
• Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct. (Galatians 6:4-5)
• Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. (Galatians 6:6)
• Don’t be misled —you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. (Galatians 6:7-8)
• Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone —especially to those in the family of faith. (Galatians 6:9-10)

All of this is fantastic counsel. However, espousing these postures leads to dramatic change. According to Paul, these postures are outward representations of what is happening within our hearts as we live by the Spirit. This isn’t a small thing. We’re actually being transformed into something altogether new, which will change the way we look at our place in the world and why we are here.

WORSHIP:

You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas.