Pastor Luther Walker teaches from Galatians chapter 6 on reaping what we sow in the Christian life. He reviews prior points on restoring a brother caught in trespass with meekness, bearing one another’s heavy burdens to fulfill the law of Christ, and each person examining their own works without self-deception for personal rejoicing.
Each believer must bear their own load through sustained effort and not impose personal burdens on others, as illustrated by 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat). Personal faith standards, such as dietary choices in Romans 14, should not judge or despise others, while still rejecting sin, division, or heresy. Separation from unrepentant sinning believers is loving, per 1 Corinthians 5:11 and Romans 16:17.
In Galatians 6:5-6, the distinction between bearing burdens (shared heavy loads) and one’s own load (personal consequences of sin) is highlighted. Those taught the Word orally should share good things with their teachers. Pastors and elders laboring in teaching deserve double honor and material support for sowing spiritual things, as in 1 Timothy 5:17, 1 Corinthians 9, and Romans 15:27. Support is not mandatory tithing but cheerful, voluntary giving after caring for one’s household, avoiding dishonest gain or manipulation.
Galatians 6:7 warns: Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Sowing to the flesh reaps corruption and death (Romans 7-8), while sowing to the Spirit reaps eternal life, fruit of the Spirit, and peace. Christians must not grow weary in doing what is proper (kallos - moral excellence in conduct), as the inward man is renewed. Overcome the sin nature not by law but by yielding to righteousness and walking by the Spirit for freedom and life.
