God Given Opportunity To Do Good

Galatians 6:9-10

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Let’s step back in time to the days of the Apostle Paul.

Galatia was not just one city, but a region in Asia Minor, right in the middle of the Roman Empire. The people there were diverse: native Celts, Greeks, Jews, and Romans all living together. That meant a mix of cultures, religions, and worldviews—all colliding in one place.

Politically, Galatia was under Roman rule. Taxes were heavy, and loyalty to Caesar was demanded.

Socially, the Galatians lived in a world stratified by class. There were the Roman elites and wealthy landowners, and then the common people—farmers, tradesmen, and slaves. Life was hard for the ordinary family. Survival meant conforming to the system.

Religiously, Galatia was a spiritual battleground. Pagan temples to Zeus, Artemis, and other gods filled the cities. Idolatry was common.

So imagine the Christian in Galatia. You’ve just come to faith in Jesus through Paul’s preaching. You’ve been told: “You are saved by grace, through faith—not by works, so that no one can boast.” That’s freedom!

But now, you’re surrounded by pressures. Jewish Christians say, “You’re not truly part of God’s people unless you keep the Law.” Pagan neighbors say, “Come join the feast—it’s just food and fun!” And Rome says, “Caesar is lord.” In every direction, you feel the pressure to compromise, to fit in, to go back to their OLD WAYS.

This is why Paul’s letter is so passionate. The Galatians were drifting back into legalism and compromise, and Paul pleads with them:

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1).

Now, fast forward with to our society today - Be it in Asia or Africa.

And believe it or not - we are almost the same as the galatians - Politically, we face high inflation, rising taxes, corruption, and a system that often favors the powerful while ordinary families struggle. Just like Galatia, The vast majority of people feel the weight of survival every day.

Socially, we live in a culture that pulls us in many directions. Our nation is highly religious on the surface—more than 80% identify as Christian—but often that religion is mixed with tradition, superstition, and compliance.

For many, Christianity is about rituals and ceremonies, not about a living relationship with Christ NOR LIVING like disciples OF CHRIST.

At the same time, atheism and agnosticism are on the rise, especially among the young, saying that faith is outdated or unnecessary.

Religiously, we feel the same tensions the Galatians did. On one side, people try to earn God’s favor by works, rituals, and sacraments. On the other, people reject God altogether and live only for self.

And just like Galatia, believers today feel the pressure to conform. In the workplace, in business, even in our families—we face the temptation to compromise our integrity, to stay silent when truth is unpopular, or to live like everyone else because it’s easier.

Many professing CHRISTIANS still believe in HOROSCOPES, Still do FUNGSHUI, Or even believe in LUCK! You often hear the term SWERTE AKO.

This is why Paul’s letter to the Galatians speaks so powerfully to us today. He reminds us:

You are saved by grace. You are sustained by grace. And you are called to live out that grace every single day by DOING GOOD!

Friends, the challenges may look different on the outside, but at their core they are the same: pressure to conform, temptation to compromise, and the danger of losing sight of grace.

But the Word of God says something different. Romans 12:2 (NIV):

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Here’s the key: God is giving us the opportunity to resist conformity, and instead, to do good.

You see, every temptation to conform to the world is also an opportunity to live counterculturally—say LIVE COUNTER CULTURALLY -

to show kindness when others are selfish, to walk in integrity when others cheat, to serve when others demand to be served, to love when others hate.

Jesus Himself lived a life that resisted the pressures of His time. He did not conform to the Pharisees’ legalism or the Romans’ power. Instead, He humbled Himself, served, and gave His life.

Paul says in Galatians 6:10:

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”