Gal. 6:1-9, Emptiness in Galatians (3)

Here are just a few more observations on “emptiness.”

·       5:16: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  This is powerful.  “Fulfill” is not the Greek term that means “to fill up.”  Rather, it is teleo, to finish or bring to a close.  The flesh (our bodies) contains desires or “lusts.”  If we allow those desires to run our lives, it will produce such things as are found in 5:19-21.  But if we are filled with, or controlled by, the Spirit, we will produce His fruit, as seen in 5:22-23.  As Peter put it, these fleshly lusts … war against the soul (1 Pt. 2:11).  Peter calls us to abstain from these.  How can we do that?  By walking in the Spirit!  If we do that, the flesh will not be able to bring us to the conclusion that the flesh has in mind.  The “war” against the soul, that Peter spoke of, is in Gal. 5:17; walking in the Spirit is described in 5:18 (being led by the Spirit). 

·       6:3: If anyone things himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  To be “nothing” (literally “nobody”) is a form of emptiness.  Paul, in Rom. 12:3, says we ought not to think of ourselves more highly that (you) ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.  The context in Rom. 12 is spiritual gifts; our context is the bearing of each other’s burdens (6:2=5).  As I see it, this has to do with accepting God’s help that comes through those around us in the body of Christ.  We must not only humble ourselves so as to help those in need; we must also humble ourselves to receive help from a brother or sister when we are in need.  If we are in need, but we deny it, claiming we don’t need any help, then we have deceived ourselves and rejected God’s provision for us. 

·       6:9: Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.  It’s not that we should never be tired and in need of added strength as we serve Christ.  Rather, it is that we should not give in to the tiredness so as to “lose heart” (Greek ekluo, to grow weary or tired; i.e. to be empty of strength).  This has a strong message for me as I (and my clan) have been going through a terrible loss.  We have been in this trial for a couple of weeks now, and realize that while in some ways it is less intense, yet the pain is going to be there for a long time.  We want to see the results of God’s hand in the matter, and yet I don’t know if any of us are satisfied in that area.  We are weary, but are pleading with the Lord for His fullness and His strength so that we do not lose heart.  And we are waiting for the harvest, when in due season we will understand something, at least, of God’s plan at work.  It seems so far now.  Father, by your grace and Spirit and word, help us to wait joyfully for the “season” of your choice, when we will see something of how this trial brought glory to your name.