成績單

In his classic book on prayer, E. M. Bounds writes, “Conduct is what we do; character is what we are.”[1] How true that is: character is revealed by conduct.

In our last study, Paul listed the fruit of the Spirit—the character qualities the Holy Spirit produces in the Christian’s life. Now the apostle wraps up his letter by telling us how those character qualities are to be demonstrated in our daily lives.

The first demonstration of the Spirit-led life is serving others unselfishly. Paul writes here in Galatians 5:25, “If [or, since] we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” That is a wonderful image; keeping in step with someone means you are matching that person’s stride step by step. You are not running ahead or lagging behind.

You cannot keep in step with the Spirit and be selfish at the same time, so Paul goes on to add a warning in verse 26: “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” This is the opposite of serving others unselfishly.  

As we move into chapter 6, Paul adds that we are not only to serve others unselfishly, but we are to assist others with humility. He writes in verse 1, “If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” When a believer falls into sin, we are not to stand around and talk about him; we are to attempt to “restore” him.

The word for “restore” is used in the Gospels for mending nets (Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19). Here Paul says that mature believers should attempt to mend the net of this person’s tangled life. We do not try to keep prodigals stuck out there in the pigpen but encourage them toward the Father’s house through repentance and restoration.

As we attempt to mend a sinning believer’s life—and that is the context here—we are to act with a “spirit of gentleness.” The word for “restore” was also used of a doctor mending a broken bone. A doctor does not do that with a sledgehammer but with tender skill.

So, we are to have an attitude of gentleness, but we are also to be on the alert. Paul writes further in verse 1, “Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” Do not become proud that you are the one helping out the other person; stay alert to the fact that you might be next.

Then Paul writes, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (verse 2). This can refer to different kinds of burdens people bear, but in this context, it points to the burden carried by someone caught in sin. These burdens are relieved when we help to rescue them, not try to bury them.

We could call this the ministry of restoration, and every believer is encouraged here by Paul to come alongside those who are burdened by sin to encourage them to repent and return to walk in step with the Spirit.

Then Paul adds a warning: “If anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (verse 3). In other words, if your own pride keeps you from showing compassion toward struggling believers—if you think you are so much better than the average Christian out there—you are deceived. You are fooling yourself. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”

Paul implies another warning in verse 4 when he writes, “Let each one test his own work.” What he means is that we must avoid comparing ourselves to other believers who have fallen into sin; that only leads us into more pride. Let us test ourselves against our own work—what God has given us to do. If we find we are doing well, we can then boast in a positive way, humbly praising God for what He has chosen to do in and through our lives.

The apostle Paul concludes this particular section of thought in verse 5, writing, “For each will have to bear his own load.” He is not contradicting the earlier command to “bear one another’s burdens.” The word for “burden” up in verse 2 refers to a heavy load that is difficult for one person to bear. “Load” here in verse 5 represents a different Greek word that commonly referred to a backpack of sorts that an individual carried. This refers to the daily burden of chores and responsibilities you are going to carry throughout the day and that only you can carry.

Finally, not only should we be serving others unselfishly and assisting others with humility, as a demonstration of keeping in step with the Spirit, but we should also be supporting spiritual leaders with generosity.

In verse 6 Paul writes, “Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.” This refers to financial support. Faithful teachers of spiritual truth are worthy of our material support. We are not to be like that old deacon who prayed in a church service, “Lord, you keep the preacher humble, and we’ll keep him poor.” Frankly, that attitude is far too common today. The clear principle taught in the New Testament is that we are to generously provide for those who vocationally serve the Lord.[2]

Paul’s point is actually connected to a broader principle in verse 7: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” This means that if you sow sparingly toward others—including your spiritual leaders—you are going to miss a fuller reward from the Lord.

So, let us be clear. Keeping in step with the Spirit is demonstrated by doing what is right—serving others with unselfishness; helping others with humility; supporting spiritual leaders with generosity—just doing good!

But doing good does not always pay you back immediately. That is why Paul warns us in verse 9 not to “grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Keep sowing the seed of good deeds for the glory of God, and eventually a harvest of divine blessing will come, in God’s good time. It might not arrive until you stand before Him one day, but it will be worth it all then!

Finally, Paul adds here in verse 10 that we should look for opportunities to “do good to everyone . . . especially to those who are of the household of faith”—that is, our fellow Christians.

As he draws his letter to a conclusion, Paul seems to interrupt his typical closing words to make a few summary statements. He repeats that the legalists who want to impose the Mosaic law on Christians have self-serving motivations. They want to gain a following while avoiding persecution. They want converts, but they do not want a cross.

In contrast to these false teachers, Paul declares that he boasts only in “the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 14). The sufficient sacrifice of Christ is enough. Paul repeats again in verse 15 that you do not need circumcision. It offers no advantages. Why? Because salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone.

Then in verse 16, the apostle writes, “As for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” The rule he refers to is the gospel of grace, which gives us peace and mercy with God. Paul calls us “the Israel of God.” That does not mean we have replaced the nation of Israel. It simply means that those who believe the gospel are truly the chosen people of God.

So today, beloved, let us keep in step with the Spirit of God, which means we are going to be actively looking for opportunities to do good for the glory of God. And with that, we complete our Wisdom Journey through this wonderful little letter to the Galatians.