“Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”
Galatians 6:8-10 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/gal.6.8-10.NLT
Paul is making it clear to followers of Christ to be intentional about the choices we make every day.
Reflection
Anyone who follows Christ experiences the challenges of making good and bad choices. We know the tension of spending emotions, time, energy, and money on things that are helpful and harmful. Others who look on see this tension live out in our lives, too.
As we follow Christ, he increasingly encourages us to choose what is good, helpful, honorable, and beneficial for us and others. We make a willful effort to live to please God.
God loves you, wants the best for you, and longs to do good by you and for you. For this to be fully experienced in our relationship with God, we must make an ongoing effort to follow Christ in our daily choices. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit will help us with this.
There is an intentional tenacity required. Daily choices for good.
There are also daily choices to step away from things and activities that are not good for us. Again, the Holy Spirit will help us develop the will to step back from destructive choices, habits, and patterns.
Encouragement
At just the right time. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for this encouragement from Paul to not give up on following you and growing in your ways.
Thank you for the Holy Spirit helping us every step of the way.
Help us to be quicker to step away from things that are hurtful, harmful, and destructive.
May we be tenacious in choosing and doing good.
Thank you for the promised outcome.
In your name, Jesus, we pray,
Amen
Ed McDowell