Saturday, July 6, 2019              

Today’s Scripture Reading  |  Galatians 6:7–16
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. (NRSV)

Reflection
Have you ever heard the old but true saying “What goes around comes around”? If you have and you believe it, then you are a probably a person who tries to do good unto others. I often wonder if those who do good because they fear punishment are genuinely good. I mean do they compromise on their choices to do evil because they do not want to reap corruption or do they do good because it is the nature of their hearts.

If you are wondering if it matters, it does. While this scripture in Galatians 6 warns us about the nature of engaging in evil, I believe it compels our hearts to function in the authenticity of goodness so that it is our daily routine without effort and complex thought. This is why chapter 6 begins with “God is not mocked.” In other words, God is able to know and see the difference between those who pretend to be good and those who are.

Our spirits are to be connected to the spirit of God. We should practice goodness by obeying God’s word, by caring for our neighbors both near and far, by speaking life over others, and by showing mercy to those with whom we find fault and who have wronged us. Our good deeds should be contagious in a way that people desire to walk in our footsteps just as we walk in the footsteps of Christ.

When we are good, not only do we reap a harvest of goodness from others, but we are blessed with the favor of God.

Prayer
O Lord, teach us how to speak and do goodness in your world even though we may see evil all around us. May we be blessed as we seek to follow your example. Amen.

Written by Jasclyn Coney, Youth Discipleship Coordinator

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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