Gospel Readings With Reflection

SPIRITUAL READINGS
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the poor time will reap a harvest if we do not
give up.” Galatians 6:9
Reflection:
Paul asked the Galatian Christians to be convinced, once again, that trusting their flesh in
this life will only lead to corruption. Reliance on our own power only leads to decay and death.
That is true whether we trust human effort to save us by following the rituals and sacraments of
the law, or by following our own selfish, sinful desires. Salvation comes only by “planting” the
Spirit. Through faith in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, God gives to us His Own Spirit.
Only that Spirit will deliver eternal life in the end. (Galatians 6:6-8)
Now Paul urges the Galatians not to grow tired of doing good. Doing good is hard work,
especially if someone begins to doubt whether it matters. Paul is urging the Galatians to keep
living in a way that is consistent with what they believe. They are free people in Christ and
God’s Spirit is with them. Eventually, the crop of eternal life will come up and they will see it
for themselves.
In more immediate sense, the good works the Galatians are doing in the power of the
Spirit will also bear fruit. God will often allow His people to see how their investment of
themselves to do good matters both in this life and in the life to come.
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way
of life and imitate their faith.” Hebrews 13:7
Reflection:
The prior passage mentioned a series of practical instructions. These were all aimed at
Christian behavior and followed major themes offered in the rest of the New Testament. Among
these were brotherly love, charity, sexual purity and contentment. (Hebrews 13:1-6) The ultimate
source of confidence for Christian living, despite hardship, is our knowledge that Christ is on our
side.
Here, the writer continues offering instructions, but with a more theological approach.
The first instruction involves respect for Christian leadership. This might be a call for
cooperation under the spiritual guidance of those leaders, similar to what Paul expressed to
Timothy (1 Timothy 5:17) and Titus (Titus 3:1). Spiritual growth is meant to come via
discipleship, which involves a more mature believer helping to grow the faith of a less-
experienced Christian (Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:12-15). Reasonable respect is a necessity
for learning
However, the intent if this passage might be something more historical. Chapter 11gave
an extended list of figures who attained victory through faith, despite persecution. The ideas of
remembrance, outcomes and limitations seem to mirror earlier depictions (Hebrew 12:1).
Context then, suggests remembering the specific spiritual leaders in our lives, and their
examples, then living out the Christian life.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
Reflection:
Parents are children’s first teachers. Everywhere is competitive and full of temptations. If
we don’t guide our children to choose the right direction in life, they will easily walk the wrong
path.
Maybe our child is young and we can guide him at his side anytime. However, he will
grow up and leave us one day. Then how can we make sure he won’t be influenced by unhealthy
practices in society?
In John 8:12, Jesus again said, “I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not
walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” God’s word is the truth, the way and the life.
We won’t fail into darkness once we practice Jesus’ words. So, if we bring our children before
God and train them according to His requirements, our children will understand what they should
do and not do. Many times, people walk down the wrong path because they don’t know how to
tell the difference between the positive and negative. If we teach our children to fear God and
shun evil, they will gradually possess the capacity to discriminate as they are growing up. Thus,
we don’t worry whether or not our children will be deceived or walk the wrong path even though
we are not at their side.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will
received the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12
Reflection:
James 1:2-18 begins with a challenging command for Christians. We are to classify hard
things in their lives as “joyful” because those ordeals help us develop a deeper thrust in God.
Christians who trust God also seek wisdom from Him – and not from ungodly sources. We
continue to trust Him through difficult experiences, in part, to receive the crown for promised
life to those who don’t stop. We don’t blame Him for our desire to sin, but we do credit Him for
every good thing in our lives.
How important is it for Christians to trust God? It’s important, James writes, that we
should call our worst moments joyful things, because trials help us trust God more. People who
trust God ask Him for wisdom – and then take what He gives. People who trust God make a
bigger deal about their rewards in the next life than their wealth in this one. People who trust
God don’t blame Him for their desire to sin; they give Him credit for all that is good in their
lives. They took in His Word and they act on what they see there.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than
yourselves.” Philippians 2:3
Reflection:
Following his focus on unity in the previous verse, Paul commands hid readers to avoid
acting in greediness or dishonesty. His goal was to remove focus from self to others. In this, Paul
takes a slightly different approach than Christ’s statement to “love your neighbor as yourself”
(Mathew 22:36-40). Instead, he first addresses the motives of wrongful ambition and pride.
When these drive our decisions, love and unity are not our true goals.
Instead, Paul taught that Christians ought to treat the needs of others as more important
than our own, and other people as greater than us. By putting the needs of others first, believers
pursue the kind of humility. The emphasis was not on self, but on others. When this is achieved,
the overall goal for humility is also met. Paul will continue this area of teaching by connecting it
with the example of Jesus in the following verse (Philippians 2:6-11). Thise who put others first
exhibit Christ-like character through love and humility.

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