May 8, Never Give Up!
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9
I recently read an excerpt from the biography of acclaimed novelist James Lee Burke. In 1985 Burke was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for the very same novel that had been rejected 111 times by New York Publishers alone. One hundred and eleven times! Can you imagine the persistence required after the 110threjection? Burke’s story, alone with many other like narratives, proclaims the age-old adage for life: never give up.
In 1953, a fledgling company attempted to create a formula for a rust prevention solvent and degreaser, and on the 40th attempt there was success. And, I love that this product has been marketed with the number of attempts at success: WD-40. The label could actually read, “we tried 39 times and failed, but the 40th try was a winner.” Well, perhaps not. However, a powerful maxim for life is once again celebrated: never give up.
A Needed Principle for Life
Over and over again, successful narratives of life are built upon persistence in pursuit of a goal or dream. And while this is to always be encouraged and commended, there is no greater narrative for perseverance that the one summarized in Galatians 6:9 (translated into the second person for personal application): “You should not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up.”
The Text
The closing verses of the letter to the Galatians offer instruction concerning the good that should be practiced between followers of Jesus (a suitable teaching for any congregation in any era). Of the principles taught, Galatians 6:9 expresses the continued effort of doing good. The “good” not only represents the specific application of relationships, but also the general application of a life of goodness represented by a heart genuinely devoted to Jesus. This call to “doing good” is given support by the divine principle of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7-8), and then pressed lovingly but firmly into the heart of the church with a call to persist in doing good. Verse 10 qualifies this emphasis with, “while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those of the household of faith.”
The Application
So today, if I allow the principle of Galatians 6:9 to have full effect in my life, I must first resolve that I am called to do good (the good that demonstrates my love and commitment to Jesus and others) in every opportunity and with every person. And, this should be especially evident through my relationship with other Christians. Second, I must resolve that the calling to do good never ends. The call to persist and not lose heart demonstrates the very need for such goodness to perpetually exist - not 40 tries nor 111 attempts, but “forever” seeking to “flesh-out” in one’s daily life a love for Jesus and a love for others. The perpetual goodness that should proceed forth from a life of Christian faith is not only chronicled in the lives of those saints we read of in the Scriptures, nor of those personal mentors or spiritual leaders who had a profound influence on our lives. The call to do good is the expected norm for every follower of Jesus – for you and for me. This is our calling, and this call never ends. Third, I must resolve to hold fast to the promise. Yes, Galatians 6:9 is as much a promise as an exhortative principle. And the promise assures fruitfulness in our persistence of faith: “in due time we will reap.” “Due time” may actually be better translated “in God’s time,” which, by the way, indicates perfect timing. While human patience may struggle with the fact that we do not control the outcome of the good that we are called to do, the productivity is in God’s hands, and God is indeed the author of the divine principle of sowing and reaping. And God will indeed bring an increase of fruitfulness to that which you have invested and will continue to invest as you love Him and love others. Galatians 6:8 assists our understanding of what will be reaped: that which is of the Spirit of God, and that which is eternal. (This counters the dangerous and destructive results of sowing with carnal activity: “the one who sows according to the flesh will reap corruption.”). How blessed is the promise that doing good in the Spirit (by the power and under the influence of God’s Spirit at work in us) brings eternal fruit for the Kingdom of Christ forever. That should indeed ignite the fire of our persistence in faith.
I will never forget standing in India with Anush and praying over His desire to plant a school for children in His village. I simply felt an urging to pray according to Malachi 4:2, “the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.” After the prayer, our day continued, and a few days later I boarded and plane and returned home. Two years later I returned to India, and in my amazement stepped onto the campus of a school God had begun through His dear servant, Anush. The name of the school? “Sunrise.” My heart was overwhelmed at the fact that a simple and genuine prayer of encouragement was used for the fulfillment of a kingdom vision in the life of someone on the other side of the globe. This has reminded me that many other times when the “reaping” in this life is not visible to us, the fruitfulness is there nonetheless, as promised by God. So, do good – the good that can only be expressed in your genuine love for Jesus and for others.
Never give up in your pursuit to live out the goodness of Jesus in every opportunity. This is our calling and our way of life. And with this principle comes a life changing promise: God will bring a harvest if we do not grow weary. Persist. Persevere. Never give up. It will be worth it more than you could ever imagine!
Blessings.
READ
Read Galatians 6:1-10 and be encouraged to never give up!