227. GAL 6:9. CONSTANCY IN WELL-DOING

Gal_6:9. Constancy in Well-Doing

"And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not."’97Gal_6:9.

The Galatians had once run well, but had been hindered through the influence of false teachers, who had turned them away from the simplicity of the Gospel. The design of the apostle, throughout this epistle, is to lead them back again to the truth, as it is in Jesus. Throughout the epistle, therefore, he has been laboring to impress upon them the necessity of relying upon the Saviour for acceptance, without any reference to the deeds of the law. In the paragraph wherein the text is found, he is inculcating experimental and practical religion. "Be not deceived," &c. ver. 7, 8 Then he urges them to constancy and per severance. "And let us not be weary," &c.

Notice,

I. The Engagement referred to.

"Well doing."

II. The Exhortation given.

"Let us not be weary."

III. The Motive assigned.

"For in due season we shall reap," &c.

Notice,

I. The Engagement referred to

"Well doing."

What is well-doing?

(1) It cannot be confounded with evil doing. And all sin is evil doing; all indifference and thoughtlessness is evil doing

(2) Resolving is not doing. Many resolve, but their goodness is as the morning cloud, &c.

(3) Professing is not doing. The son, in the Gospel, said to his father, "I go, sir, but went not."

(4) Feeling is not doing. We may feel sorrow and regret; we may feel anxious; we may feel joy or happiness; but the text does not refer to what we enjoy or experience, but to what we do and practise. Now Christian well-doing must include ourselves, the church, and the world.

1. Well-doing must respect ourselves.

And this supposes that we have been converted from the evil of our ways, for we cannot do well in the ways of depravity and practical evil. Growing in grace especially knowledge, faith, hope, love, and humility. Meetening for heaven, by increasing spirituality of mind, deadness to the world, and conformity to the likeness of the Saviour. Being active in the work of salvation, faithful as stewards of God, courageous as soldiers of the cross, zealous and persevering as racers for eternal life. "Pressing towards the mark," &c.

2. Well-doing must respect the church Our first concern must be our personal salvation and happiness, then the mystical body of Christ, the church. Of this we are members Then there are duties for us to discharge, offices to fulfil, for which we are responsible, and which we are required by Jesus conscientiously to perform. We must be eyes to see, ears to hearken, mouths to plead, hands to labor, feet to walk, or shoulders to bear for the body the church. 1Co_12:12-27; Eph_4:11-13.

3. Well-doing must respect the world.

Believers are not of it, or conformed to it; but they are in it, and they must live to promote its welfare. We must be lights in it’97the salt of it. Loadstones to draw men out of it to Christ. Weep over it, pray for it, and earnestly labor in it. "Holding forth the word of life." Saying, as Moses did, "Come with us, and we will do you good," &c. How many facilities we have to do it good’97schools, tracts, preaching of the gospel, &c. Now faithful attention to these things may be termed well-doing.

Observe,

II. The Exhortation given.

"Be not weary," &c.

1. The text supposes that there is danger of wearying.

This may arise from various causes:

(1) Some are constitutionally wavering and unsettled. Perseverance with such in any thing is very difficult.

(2) Doing implies toil, and human nature is fond of ease.

(3) Often difficulties in the way of well doing, and resolution is indispensable.

(4) Well-doing requires sacrifices, and we are prone to selfishness.

(5) Satan and the world will be against us, so that we must fight and wrestle even in doing good.

(6) Often our labors appear useless, and we are in danger of being discouraged.

The exhortation urges upon us,

2. Constancy and perseverance.

"We are not to be weary."

(1) Because God has formed us especially for well-doing. He has given us the faculties and the feelings requisite; he hath made as for himself, and to manifest his glory.

(2) Because this is the great end of our regeneration, that we may live to God. Not our own, &c. "Present our bodies," &c. "We should show forth the praises," &c.

(3) Because well-doing is inseparably connected with our safety. Only two ways, &c.

(4) Because it is always identified with our happiness. There is a holy pleasure, an inexpressible delight, in doing good.

(5) Because it associates with us the highest orders of beings. All holy men have been acquainted practically with well-doing. Angels are always engaged in well-doing. Jesus was the great model of well-doing. He went about doing good. He did all things well. God is incessantly engaged in well-doing. How we are exalted to true dignity by well-doing.

But there is another consideration, which is,

III. The Motive the Text assigns.

"We shall reap if we faint not."

"We shall reap,"

1. The first fruits here.

In doing good we obtain good. Con formed to Christ. Increase of peace. Shall see some present good. Blest in doing, &c. We shall reap’97in affliction and death, retrospect, &c. God’s providence shall favor such.

2. The full harvest hereafter.

"In due season."

When Christ shall appear, he shall confess you, &c. You shall be rewarded a the resurrection of the just’97the full harvest’97the end of the world. Then our Lord will reckon with his servants, and say, "Well done," &c. Then when Christ appears, will he give the crown, &c. Now our reaping will,

(1) Be graciously abundant. His re wards will be infinitely over and above our due. Worthy of his infinite and munificent goodness to bestow.

(2) Our reaping will be proportionate to our well-doing. Parables of talents, &c. Liberal shall reap liberally. Heavy cross, a bright crown. Great suffering, great glory.

(3) Our reaping is absolutely certain Promise of the Father and the engagements of the Son render it irrevocably sure. Many have reaped, &c.

Application

1. Evil-doers shall also reap’97wretchedness and anxiety here, and eternal we hereafter.

2. Those who cease well-doing cannot obtain the promised reward.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS