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.”
1: Opportunities Are God-Appointed
Paul says, “as we have opportunity…” In Greek, the word “kairos” means “season” or “appointed time.”
Opportunities are not accidents. They’re divinely timed windows where God invites us to act.
every relationship, every need we see is an opportunity to reflect Christ by doing good.
He gives us opportunities every day—opportunities to reflect His grace, to live differently, to shine His light in a world that wants us to blend in.
WHATS THE OPPORTUNITY BEFORE US?
TO DO GOOD. and to do it God’s Way
Let’s break it down.
a) Opportunity: DOING GOOD reflects God’s character
Doing good is not random—it’s intentional. It’s choosing righteousness when the world pushes sin.
📖 Psalm 34:14 – “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
Genesis 4:3-5 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
Genesis 4:6-8 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it. ”
Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Genesis 4:9-13
Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”
“I don’t know, ” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
The LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth. ”
Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is more than I can bear.
DOING GOOD CHANGES OUR CHARACTER - from worldly to Godly
You can choose evil and sin but you can’t choose the consequences
You can choose to do goodness today see it change your character, your outlook in life and even your future!
Let me ask you this: What do you want to be known for, a good person or a bad reputation.
I’ll be honest with you: SO Many Christians have become so LAZY, and even COMPLACENT. "A complacent Christian is a contradiction of terms. And many professing Christians are so WORLDLY and SELF CENTERED. Just like CAIN.
We have forgotten our identity in CHRIST JESUS. We have forgotten to OBEY CHRIST. We have stopped following our Shepherd to graze on the world's lawn. And there’s danger in this: A comfortable faith is often a compromised one."
b) Doing good means following Christ
📖 Acts 10:38 – “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth… and He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil.”
When you look at Jesus’ life, goodness was not just in His words but in His actions. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, forgave sinners, loved His enemies.
The purest form of goodness is expecting nothing in return.
Because there is no hidden motive. When Christ Died for Us, He gave up His very life. Expecting nothing in return from us. He did it out of love!
Warnings When Doing Good:
Turning a good deed into a burden for the other person:
When Kindness Becomes a Debt
Example: A relative helps a young family member : "I sacrificed a lot to help you out, and this is how you repay me?"
The original act of kindness has become a permanent, psychological debt that is brought up to control or guilt the other person. The recipient feels perpetually obligated and unable to live their own life freely without feeling like they have betrayed the giver.
The Danger of Keeping Score
Example: In a relationship, one partner feels they are always the one initiating conversations, planning dates, and doing household chores. Instead of communicating their needs openly, they silently keep a mental tally. When a disagreement arises, they use this accumulated "score" as ammunition, saying, "I'm always the one who puts in all the effort! I did this, and this, and this for you, but you never do anything for me."
The act of keeping score has poisoned the relationship, turning acts of love into bargaining chips and preventing honest communication.
The Price Tag on Goodness
Example: A colleague offers to help a coworker complete a difficult project, staying late to ensure it's a success. The coworker is genuinely grateful. Weeks later, the colleague asks for a big favor, which would require the coworker to stay late on a weekend. When the coworker hesitates, the colleague says, "Come on, I helped you out big time on that project. Its just right that you pay back!."
The original "goodness" was not a free gift; it was an investment with a hidden price tag, revealed only when the giver needed to cash it in.
The Poison of Reciprocity
Example: A friend constantly insists on paying for every meal or coffee outing, initially seeming very generous. However, after a few times, they begin to subtly criticize their other friends for not being as "giving" as they are. They may make passive-aggressive comments like, "It's a good thing I offered to pay, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to afford that." The expectation of reciprocation has soured the initial kindness, making the relationship feel less like a true friendship and more like a transactional exchange where one person is always trying to maintain the upper hand.
Church REMEMBER THIS:
True goodness is an act of pure giving, not a transaction of receiving.
And he’s asking us to do the same, WE DO GOOD BECAUSE JESUS Loves us!
Because let me tell you this: WHAT you do has eternal impact:
What you do today has lasting significance
MATTHEW 25:31-40
The Sheep and the Goats
31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
A single act of GOODNESS leads to a ripple effect of kindness.
Howard Kelly’s Paid-in-Full with One Glass of Milk
What happened: As a boy, a hungry young boy received a glass of milk from a kind woman who refused payment. Years later, Dr. Howard Kelly, now a famous surgeon, recognized her when she became his patient.
Impact: He treated her care with nothing owed—“Paid in full with one glass of milk.” That small act of compassion came full circle, saving her life. Dr Howard Kelly became one of the most sought after physicians of his time with lots of medical breakthroughs and he was one of the founders of Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Proverbs 11:25 (NIV) A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
One act of goodness holds the power to change a life.
STORY: One of the teachers in our kids church. Messaged her friend to meet up and attend bible study in her sister's house. She said she couldnt come BUT see, the teacher was very persistent. Finally she agreed to come and after the study. She approached us and said that in the past few days she was contemplating suicide, and was even researching ways on how to commit suicide. But then she came and heard the message that God loves her.
Can you imagine if this teacher withheld her act of goodness to reach out? A simple text message, and follow up, a genuine concern,
Opportunity to do good means spreading the Gospel
2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)
"Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction."
Application: Opportunities to share Jesus often come disguised in everyday conversations: a coworker grieving, a friend searching for meaning, a stranger you serve with kindness. WE don’t suddenly become good only on SUNDAYS after service. There are opportunities everyday to share about the goodness of GOD!
Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)
"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
STORY:
Some years back: One of my previous staff was charged with a serious crime and he had to spend time in prison while waiting for his trial. While he was working for me, he came to church for two straight Sundays which really brought joy to my heart. While in prison he asked his friend to bring him the bible so that he can just spend time in the word. I recommended my lawyer friend to help them out and I soon find myself meeting his aunts, his grandmother, his other relatives and I tell you this was an opportunity that GOD ordained for them to hear the good news of Christ despite the current predicament of their family member. In the course of 2 Sundays I had the privilege of sharing the gospel to 4 of his family members.
3. DOING GOOD MEANS SERVING IN Church
Lets go back to our verse:
Verse: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good… especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Gal. 6:10)
Why? Because our love for one another is our greatest testimony to the world (John 13:35).
A pastor once said that the greatest opportunities are hidden in small faithfulness. Greeting someone at the door, sharing a meal with a member in church, mentoring one young believer—these small seeds become eternal fruit.
Serving in kids ministry, helping in the church accounting, being part of the usher team, joining prayer teams, volunteering time and resources — these are opportunities to strengthen God’s house. Serving the Household of Faith
scholarly case
A Barna Research study (2023) revealed that volunteers in local churches report higher life satisfaction and stronger faith growth compared to non-volunteers. Why? Because they recognize opportunities to serve as kingdom investments, not burdens.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV):
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
👉 Every church gathering is an opportunity not only to receive but to give — encouragement, presence, participation.
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV):
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
👉 Our spiritual gifts are opportunities — entrusted to us not for self-promotion but for the strengthening of Christ’s body.
As we end, Lets not forget this:
Conclusion – Don’t Waste Your Opportunity To Do Good!
Persevering Dear Brothers and Sisters.
📖 Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Doing good isn’t always easy. Sometimes you feel unnoticed, unappreciated, maybe even taken advantage of. But Paul reminds us—the harvest will come. Don’t give up.
—- You know what harvest we are talking about here? Its not riches and glory and power and might. No, it is the harvest of many souls. Doing good is a way to populate heaven.
Church, here’s the truth:
Doing good is not optional for Christians—it’s our calling.
God has already placed doors before you—family, work, church, community. The question is: Will you walk through them?
📖 Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
A single act of GOODNESS leads to a ripple effect of kindness.
LETS US PRAY….
