A word for the weary

Galatians 6v7-10

INTRODUCTION

The summer is over, and the wheels of industry are turning again. Most of us are back at work, the school run is about to start, and the church programme is back to normal. This may produce a heavy sigh from those involved. This negative response is reflected in a recent article that said we do become tired as Christians. We become tired of preparing talks, tired of doing children’s work, tired of helping around the church, tired of attending Fellowship Groups, tired of preparing tea on Sunday. This is why it is appropriate today to have a word for the weary. Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” From this passage, we will look at what it means to be weary, why we become weary, and a way out of weariness. First then what do we mean by being weary. We will look at this under the heading…

THE WAY OF WEARINESS

Weariness in God’s people

Unless we think that being weary is only for the unspiritual, notice that the Apostle Paul identifies with the problem. He says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Another example is Elijah who in 1 Kings 19:4-5 sat under a tree and prayed that he might die. He said, “I’ve had enough Lord take my life… he then fell asleep.” The disciples of Jesus also fell asleep when they should have been praying. They too were weary in doing good.

Weary in doing good

The word weary in Galatians 6:9 means to be tired or to lose heart. Jesus used the same word in Luke 18:1 when he encouraged his disciples to pray and not to lose heart. The context of sowing and reaping in Galatians 6:8 suggests that weariness in doing good is similar to the perseverance required when planting seed. Notice, however, that the text does not say we grow tired of doing good but in it. We are like an athlete struggling to make it to the finish line. We are tired in the race, but not of it.

Encouraged in our weariness

The encouraging thing about weariness in Galatians 6 is that though it is seen as undesirable, it is also recognised as a real problem. If it is recognised as a problem then there should also be a solution. Before we look at this, we need to see why we become weary. This leads from the what of weariness to the why under the heading…

THE WAY INTO WEARINESS

The world, the devil, or the flesh

We could blame the world for weariness because it is a constant drain on our spiritual life. The devil hates all that is good and opposes any attempt at being good or doing good. This too makes us weary. Having said this, Galatians 6 does not say that the world or the devil is the main reason for weariness. The reason for weariness in Galatians 6 is our own fallen nature. Verse 8 says, “Those who sow into the flesh will from the flesh reap destruction or spiritual death. Those who sow into the Spirit will from the Spirit reap spiritual life and vitality.” It is in this context that Galatians 6:9 says, “Do not become weary in doing good.”

Sowing and reaping

Whatever we sow, we reap. If we sow barley, we reap barley. If we sow wheat, we reap wheat. If we sow wild oats, we shouldn’t expect spiritual fruit! Galatians 6:7-8 says, “Do not be led astray: God is not mocked. We reap what we sow. If we sow into the flesh, we will reap spiritual death, if on the other hand we sow into the Spirit, we will reap a harvest of spiritual fruit.” In this context, Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

In which field will we sow

We are often reminded that we are free to choose, but we are rarely reminded that we are not free to choose the consequences of our choice. In this context, it is important to know that it is the sower and not the reaper who determines the harvest. Today, this week, this year, we can sow into the flesh or into the Spirit. We can decide into which field to invest our time, our money, and our energy. Galatians 5:16 says, “If we live in the Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Verse 17 in the NLT says, “These two forces are constantly fighting each other and our choices are never free from this conflict.” So having looked at the what of weariness, and the why of weariness, we now come to a way forward under the heading…

THE WAY OUT OF WEARINESS

Looking at the problem

There are many ways to respond to spiritual weariness. Some give up and become lazy, bored, or cynical. They are then difficult to motivate. The remedy is to focus on the harvest and then sow into the Spirit. Galatians 6:8-9 says, “Those who sow into the Spirit will from the Spirit reap spiritual life… So let us not become weary in doing good for in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Looking at the Lord

In this context, Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. This means to turn up one’s nose or treat people with contempt. Some do good for their own self-esteem or sense of worth. In other words, they do good for their own glory rather than for God’s glory. When we do this, we can become weary because we are doing it in the flesh and not in the Spirit. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who serve the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” So Galatians 6:10 says, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to God’s family.” Remember… the alternative to doing good is not doing good. This could be all the motivation we need.

Looking at the harvest

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Having no harvest is like going through winter without a summer to look forward to. This can only lead to weariness. If we sow into the Spirit, however, we will reap a harvest. 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because your labour in the Lord is not in vain.”

Hebrews 12:1-3 says, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus… who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame… Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful people, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Bernard Cartledge