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How many jobs do we start and never finish?  Something distracts us, we find something else more interesting, we are defeated by the difficulties of the task.  God, however, always finishes what he begins.  The saving work of Christ recorded in the Gospels was carried through to completion.

1. A fearful approach

The women are again at the forefront.  When the Sabbath is over (Saturday evening) they buy spices to anoint Jesus’ body.  This was an act of deep love and devotion: after his body being two nights and a day in the tomb in the Palestinian climate, this anointing would have no practical value.  The women’s making the discovery is evidence of the authenticity of the account.  Had the account been fabricated, men would have been the first witnesses since women’s evidence had no legal standing in court.  God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8; 1 Corinthians 1:27).  There is no sensationalising here.  The women are anxious about moving the stone – they seem not to have heard of the seal and the guards.  They do not come expecting the resurrection.  The enemies of Jesus recalled his prophecies of rising again (Matthew 27:63) but the disciples and even these women seem not to have taken his words seriously.  The Gospel account does not hide their failure.

2. A joyful announcement

Their reception is totally unexpected: the stone rolled away and an angel (two mentioned in Luke 24:4).  They are told to stop being alarmed (v6) and good grounds are given – ‘He has risen!  He is not here’ – the glorious news of the resurrection.  His prophecy is fulfilled – after three days he would rise (8:3; actually parts of three days). God’s plan is still being fulfilled.  The Triune God is at work (Acts 3:15).  Christ has been exalted to the highest possible position (Ephesians 1:20).  All the Gospels stress the fact that the tomb was empty.  It is a historical fact that even Jesus’ enemies could not dispute.  This is an essential element of the gospel message.  He has risen to a glorified life, unlike e.g. Lazarus.  Death has been conquered.  The resurrected one is identical with the crucified one.  His resurrection is the guarantee of our resurrection – the ‘first fruits’ (1 Corinthians 15:20).

3. An encouraging promise

The women are given specific instructions – to tell the disciples and Peter.  There will be a reunion in Galilee, as promised (14:28).  The scattered, disheartened, failed disciples will be reunited with their Lord.  They will not be rejected but will be forgiven and restored.  Note ‘and Peter’ – special mention.  Having failed so singularly, he is most aware of his sin and weakness, most in need of encouragement.  In tender love the Lord reassures Peter – there is hope of new life.  The Lord deals with us so graciously when we repent of sin (1 John 1:9).  Grace restores and re-commissions.

4. A silent departure

The women have been face to face with the mighty work of God.  Though the news is joyful, it is also awe-inspiring.  They have a profound sense of the presence of God.  They stand at the edge of a deep mystery and the impact is overwhelming – ‘Trembling and bewildered’ (v8).  They are literally ‘gripped’ by deep emotions.  They flee with a deep sense of the holiness of the place (cf Moses at the bush, Exodus 3:5).  The time for joyful speaking will come later (Matthew 28:8).  The closer we are to God, the more reverent silence there will be.  Closeness to him is too deep for casual word

When we look at the world, we may be struck by the apparent unfairness we see.  It seems that often virtue is not rewarded, it may even be punished, whilst wickedness can lead to success and prosperity.  Many experiences stir a strong desire to cry, ‘That’s not fair!’  Paul now deals with such issues.  We now consider Galatians 6:6-10 Reaping what you sow.

1. The gratitude to be shown

Commentators are puzzled by the presence of v6 here, regarding sharing all good things with your instructor.  Perhaps it reflects the situation in the churches when no-one was paid for ministry.  It may have been hard for leaders to teach and also earn a living.  Given the factions in the Galatian churches, perhaps the problems were exacerbated.  It is a general principle of church life that there is to be reciprocity between teachers and taught.  The latter receives ‘instruction in the word’, and in return he must ‘share all good things’.  Clearly in view are material things to support the teacher (as in 1 Corinthians 9:14).

2. The principle to be followed

Paul broadens out his instruction to depict two fundamental ways of life.  In a striking way he underlines the importance of the lesson: ‘Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked’ (v7).  It is not possible to disobey God and his law without repercussions.  In general ‘a man reaps what he sows’ (v7).  There is a profound link between how one lives and the results (the crop) that life bears.  Living ‘to please his sinful nature’ (v8) leads to spiritual disaster when account is given to God.  On the other hand, the one ‘who sows to please the Spirit’ reaps ‘eternal life’.  Usually the outcome of these principles is seen only in the long term.  We need to have an eternal perspective, seen from God’s point of view.

3. The harvest to be sought

The harvest is not earned by our effort, but by God’s grace.  Paul issues the exhortation in v9 ‘Let us not become weary in doing good’.  Paul speaks of the certainty of a harvest: ‘at the proper time we will reap a harvest’.  The harvest is not earned by our effort but is the fruit of God’s grace.  Paul seems to have the final judgment in view.  There may be a harvest in this life, but there may not.  There is a proper place for speaking of rewards in Christian service – Jesus says in Matthew 6:4 ‘your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you’ – an act of his grace.  Perseverance is essential and the reward comes ‘at the proper time’.

4. The opportunity to be seized

The practical application of sowing to please the Spirit: ‘Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people’ (v10).  This is an expression of ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ (5:14), so fulfilling God’s law.  We ‘do good’ when we do whatever is for the benefit of others, material/physical as well as spiritual.  We are not to be narrow in our concern – ‘all people’ – reflecting the Saviour’s heart.  Note the proper priority – ‘especially to those who are of the household of faith’ (ESV), those bound to us in the Lord’s love.

The reality of our Christian profession can be demonstrated in many ways.  How we view ourselves and our fellow believers will shape the quality of our relationships within the church.  If they are shaped by Scripture and are honouring to God, they will be a powerful witness to God’s grace.  As he nears the end of his letter, Paul expounds this theme.  We now consider Galatians 6:1-5 Healthy church life

1. Restoration

            (i).  Offending.  Note ‘if someone is caught in a sin’ (v1) – Paul recognises the reality of life in a community of saved sinners.  The word ‘caught’ suggests a sudden fall, not a deliberate plan, but it is ‘sin’ that needs to be dealt with.  We may fail to ‘keep in step’ (5:25).

            (ii).  Restoring.  The response is not to be self-righteous condemnation but rather restoring.  Believers should long to see erring brothers brought to repentance and renewed usefulness.  Note ‘you who are spiritual’ – prompted by and enabled by the Holy Spirit.

            (iii).  Watching.  The Spirit’s presence sensitises us to our own sins – ‘But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted’ (v1).  Restorers must be humble and watchful of themselves.  Remember 1 Corinthians 10:12 in order to avoid complacency.

            (iv).  Fulfilling.  The command is, ‘Carry each other’s burdens’ (v2).  We are a community (Romans 14:7).  Giving (and receiving) restoration is an expression of love.  As a result ‘in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ’.  We reflect the likeness of the Saviour.

2. Reassessment

One of the sins that does great damage to healthy church life is pride – an inflated idea of one’s own abilities and importance.  To enable the restoration of a brother caught in a sin can lead to viewing oneself as spiritually superior.  ‘If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself’ (v3).  The temptation is to measure ourselves against those whom we consider ‘inferior’ in some way, allowing us to think of ourselves as ‘superior’.  In comparison to the Lord we are ‘nothing’, insignificant.  Paul is not suggesting we have no value – ‘think of yourself with sober judgment’ (Romans 12:3).  Paul’s exhortation is, ‘Each one should test his own actions’ – evaluating them in the light of God’s Word.  The Word examines us.  If we take to heart and obey God’s law, including repentance for the sin of pride, ‘his reason to boast will be in himself and not in his neighbour’ (v4 ESV). 

3. Responsibility

Why should such importance be attached to evaluation in the light of God’s Word?  The reason: ‘each one should (ESV ‘will have to’) carry his own load’ (v5).  This does not conflict with v2.  Here ‘load’ is the word for a soldier’s pack which could not be shared with a comrade, who has his own pack to carry.  Each believer has his own duties to fulfil for the Lord.  There are regular disciplines to be followed in pursuit of godliness and also specific service that the Lord assigns.  Each individual bears responsibility for fulfilling those duties.  Paul indicates our accountability: ‘we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ’ (2 Corinthians 5:10).  The failure of others does not excuse my sin.

Raymond Gamble

Christians can often fail to realise that salvation in Christ brings about a revolution with life-changing and lifelong consequences.  Conversion is the necessary starting point, but it must be followed by transformation of every aspect of life.  Too often the lives of Christians seem to be little different from those of others.  When we are saved, nothing remains the same.  We now consider Galatians 5:19-26 Keep in step with the Spirit

1. Rejecting fleshly works

Paul expands on the contrast between the influence of the Spirit and of the flesh.  We need to understand that the ‘flesh’ is our old sinful nature, not just its bodily element.  It is the corruption of the soul/spirit that issues in sinful actions.  The list of sins that Paul provides includes some that are not necessarily visible outwardly in bodily actions.  Although the old nature has been put to death (‘crucified’, v24), and is no longer our master, old ways, habits and desires can be deeply ingrained and still exercise a damaging influence.  Paul provides a wide-ranging list that includes sexual sins (such as ‘impurity’), corruptions of true religion (‘idolatry’), corruption of relationships (‘hatred’) and the indulgence of our appetites (‘drunkenness’).  His conclusion: ‘I warn you…that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God’.  We all fall from time to time, but a lifestyle like this discredits any profession of faith.

2. Bearing godly fruit

It is not sufficient to get rid of sinful conduct.  It must be replaced by godly fruit – ‘the fruit of the Spirit’ (v22).  Note ‘fruit’ is singular – the parts are interrelated and form a unity.  Fundamental to understanding the fruit is the fact that it is the fruit ‘of the Spirit’ – the result of his ministry.  His power enables fruit-bearing (see 2 Corinthians 3:18).  It is vital to see that the fruit of the Spirit is the character of Christ.  It is into his image that we are being transformed.  He exemplifies love, joy and all the other elements of the fruit.  He provides the goal and standard of our living.  None of this denies our responsibility to seek godly fruit, using the means of grace that the Lord provides.  Note Hebrews 12:14 ‘Make every effort…to be holy’.  There is no excuse for laziness or carelessness.

3. Pursuing transformed living

            (i). Definitive change: ‘Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh’ (v24).  The old nature is dead and, united to Christ, we have a new nature, imperfect, but undergoing sanctification.  Romans 6:11 shows how we are to view ourselves as both alive and dead.

            (ii). Consistent walking: ‘Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit’ (v25).  Here is the responsibility of believers to live consistently by the power of the Spirit.  Paul uses military language – maintaining the ranks on a march.  We live out what we are in union with Christ by the power of the Spirit (Philippians 2:12).

            (iii). Healthy relationships: The fruit of the Spirit is to be seen in relationships within the covenant community: ‘Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other’ (v26).  Instead love (v22) should govern believers’ relationships, a witness to the world.