Grace Church

Two words really stand out to me in this passage of Galatians: “all” (”all good things”, v6) and “especially” (”especially to those”, v10). It’s funny, but in one way of looking at things, Paul’s guidance here wouldn’t have lost much without these two extras. If he had just said, “Share good things with the one who teaches” and “let us do good to all people.” we wouldn’t be shocked at any glaring omissions. We would agree heartily that teachers should have encouragement and that we should treat everyone with respect and grace.

But these two additions really change the character of what’s being said. It reminds me of God’s general way — “more and better.” He doesn’t just do Good, he loves doing Good. He doesn’t redeem us to what we lost in sin (back to Eden), he redeems us to more (“…we participate in the divine nature…”!). Paul tells us not just to share good things with those who help to bring us back from sin, but to share all good things with them (”teachers” in v6 are the “spiritual ones” from v1 that restore the sinful gently). I can feel his earnestness; “Listen! If one of you is caught up in sin, whoever is living in the Spirit should restore him (to more than what he lost! With gentleness and a humble heart!). Bear each other’s burdens (as Jesus bore yours – which was much heavier!), restoring each other to God! Have you received some good teaching that has restored you from sin? Has someone taken that perilous road and accepted the dangerous challenge of teaching you (remember, they are twice accountable to God and all the more attacked by the enemy!)? Give him all good things to encourage him and to help him help others!” When someone brings me out of my flesh and into the Spirit of the Most High; when he teaches me something from God, that God uses to build me up for a time, and that brings me benefit for months or years, I try to make it a point to go back to that person and thank them; to let him know that they really served me like Jesus did… and then I try to figure out some way to benefit him! Can I buy him dinner? Can I ease a burden? Can I fix his dishwasher? What good things (money, prayer, time, appreciation, recommendations, business) can I give him … and how often? God’s been good to me, to turn my hard and broken heart ever more towards gladness to serve those he sends to serve me.

But it’s the next part that really excites me. “While we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” God is certainly Good, and he is long-suffering not wanting that any should perish. He loved us when we were rebels in arms, violating Him as often as we could. How much more, now that we have been made His Children? His greater concern is for us, we who have been redeemed into His favor. Certainly we should be a benefit to everyone we encounter (that mission is how God brought us into the fold in the first place), but especially to the Children of the Most High. What grace is this, that I should be able to serve such as these? (I, a hollow man with a heart of darkness, now made to overflow with living water and light that my heart cannot comprehend — what grace!) It’s like the weirdness of the sacrifice system of the Old Testament: that we should bring the first and best to God as a sacrifice. How odd! If anyone has need, it’s certainly not God! But because of His surpassing excellence, I bring him my very best first, and what is left I am free to use in the world to feed the hungry and clothe the poor. It’s the same now – because He is in my brothers and sisters, I am to bring my very best to you first and make sure that you are served and satisfied; and then I’m free to use what is left to be a blessing to the world. We should serve each other first not because we’re in Him, but because He’s in us! And for me, this is liberty; it helps me to see that I’m free to do what my deep and private heart knows is right, but what the world-church fears: to put my family first.

The astonishing part is this, though: that if my heart of hearts is to help the world, I can help to accomplish this by serving the body first! Jesus said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matt. 14:24) and sent his disciples to preach to Israel only. But His plan was that when Israel, the House of God, had been taken care of, that the rest of the world should come into it, and thereby be taken care of as well! It’s the same with the church; we build up the house of God, growing ever more away from sin and towards God, and when, through our preaching and service, “the Lord add[s] to our number” we welcome them with glad and sincere hearts – more to love and serve! Amazing.

I love this excellent freedom and the one who brought it to me. I hope I can help grow it and pass it on.