Don’t Stop

Meditations on Galatians

November 22, 2021

Don’t Stop

So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9 (NRSV)

Read: Galatians 6:6-10

In today’s passage, I hear Paul affirming one of the greatest attributes of the first century church: patience. Paul believed that by trusting in God, the followers of Jesus should be patient—not trying to control events, not anxious or in a hurry.

As we rest in the assurance that God is at work within us (Philippians 2:13), we can patiently trust that God will form the life of the Beatitudes and the life of love that Paul celebrates in 1 Corinthians 13 within us. This statement of Paul calls us to fully embrace a patient lifestyle:

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Philippians 1:6 

Our patience is rooted in God’s character; God is patient and is working relentlessly across time to accomplish his mission. The heart of patience is revealed in Jesus Christ. Jesus’s life and teaching demonstrate what patience means and calls us who follow him to a patient lifestyle that participates in God’s mission.

My Takeaway: Patience is hopeful; it entrusts the future confidently to God. Therefore, we can joyfully embrace Paul’s encouragement: “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 NRSV).

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.