And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9
Despite what skeptics say, Christianity is no crutch for the weak. The deeper we dive into Jesus’ teachings, the more difficult their implementation becomes, especially regarding those who wrong us. Nonetheless, their misdeeds do not release us from our covenantal responsibilities to Christ. No, Christianity calls us to swim against these currents in pursuit of His will no matter the temporal costs. In short, we must do it anyway.
In Galatians 6:1-10, Paul addressed the matter of sharing one another’s burdens as we share our blessings together. In verse 9 cited above, he recognized the danger of becoming disheartened or burned out while fulfilling these directives. When we couple the number and scope of Christ’s commands to care for others with the difficulties sometimes presented by the ones we attempt to help, it is little wonder if we become discouraged.
Starting within the text of Galatians 6, we may find several directives which present us with frustrating difficulties. In verse 1, the effort to restore one who is caught in a trespass can be agonizing as they sometimes “kick against the goads” even to the point of being angry with us. Furthermore, even if they receive such loving nudges amicably, they may still refuse restoration, leaving us with the sense that the effort is for naught. Nonetheless, like Isaiah (6:9-10), Jeremiah (7:27), Ezekiel (3:4-11), etc., we must say on and continue trying to persuade them. As Isaiah 55:10-11 makes plain, the word of the Lord cannot fail to accomplish His purposes. It is given to extend the opportunity to the wayward to return and dwell in peace with God. If they reject it, it still did what it was sent to do. So, we must do it anyway.
In Galatians 6:2, bearing the burdens of another may be difficult, especially during times when our burdens are all we feel we can bear. An interesting, if somewhat counterintuitive, reality about this vein is that the best remedy for overcoming our own struggles is to help others with their struggles. There are likely more reasons why this works, but two stand out to me concerning this strange reality. First, it helps shift our focus from our struggle for a time. Second, in helping work through the struggle of another, we may find we have inflated the magnitude of our own. Another difficulty in this realm is that some people seem to constantly need help bearing some burden. I have seen brethren get agitated with a brother or sister for this cause. Seeing that the Lord simply commanded us to do good as we have opportunity (6:10), we must do it anyway.
Stepping outside the text of Galatians 6, many other passages demand we serve those we otherwise might not. Consider Jesus’ directives in Matthew 5:38-48. Here He enjoined, not just non-retaliation and self-sacrifice for the needy, but love for enemies. Paul reiterated this challenge in Romans 12:17-21 demanding generosity to enemies. Or what about the demands to forgive others as often as they repent? (Matthew 6:12-15; 18:21-35; Luke 17:1-3). What about the calls to submit to the government, even corrupt governments? (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). What about the demands for faithful service to those who are over us in other capacities, even when they are harsh? (Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25; 1 Peter 2:18-23). Despite the challenges, we must do it anyway.
We could continue this exercise ad infinitum, but this illustrates the point. How can we fulfill the Lord’s directives against so many headwinds? Paul’s protection against weariness was to know that we all reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-9; cf. Romans 2:5-11). God vouchsafed and guaranteed our reward with the resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 50-57). The conclusion of the great resurrection chapter is that we “…be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). So, whatever challenges to our faithfulness we may face, let’s do it anyway.