Love thy teacher

Jonathan Fleming May 10, 2023 1 0

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Galatians 5:22 - 6:11 (NRSVA)

[5] 22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.

6 My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. 4 All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbour’s work, will become a cause for pride. 5 For all must carry their own loads.

[6] 1 Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.

7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. 8 If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

11 See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand!

Paul weaves some powerful pleas into this passage, which begins with the well known fruit of the Spirit, the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit within us. In the course of this selection of verses, Paul reminds the reader to take care of those who teach us, to keep on doing good to all people and to trust God with the results.

When we think of those who teach us in church as well as places of education, how much care do we offer to them?

Do we show our appreciation for the time and energy spent in preparation for worship and Bible study in our congregations or lessons and extra curricular events in our classrooms and lecture theatres?

Do we take them for granted sometimes?

What could we do to show them our appreciation?

When it comes to doing good, it can be tiring and disheartening at times when you struggle to see the results. It can be easy to choose to give up and focus on other things. Some congregations who have worked tirelessly for generations up and down the country may feel disheartened as decisions being made in Presbytery Mission Plans mean a significant change in their church’s circumstances, at which point some may be asking ‘Why bother?’, ‘What’s the point in carrying on?’ Today, Paul challenges us to keep on keeping on, trusting that we will reap a harvest of blessing in God’s time.

PRAYER:

God,
We give you thanks for all who teach us
in schools, churches and places of further education.
Help us to show them how much they mean to us
and how much we appreciate the work they do.
Inspired by their example and by the power of your Holy Spirit,
challenge us to play our part in congregations and community;
to offer acts of loving service,
even when the results are hard to see.
We ask these things in the name of our great teacher,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.