July 8, 2025

Today's Reading: Galatians 6:1-10, 14-18

Daily Lectionary: Judges 3:7-31; Acts 13:42-52

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

I can't focus. I'm distracted. I can't do what I want to do. I'm just trying to do my homework. I'm just trying to do my chores. No matter how much I try to check off my to-do list, my eyes always wander, and my thoughts are not focused on the tasks at hand. THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO. 

These are strong words from Paul for the church in Galatia, and they have not softened in 2000 years. This is a lofty goal and a difficult to-do list: DO NOT GROW WEARY OF DOING GOOD. 

You know why? Because that is the first thing that we grow tired of. We poor, miserable sinners want to do good for about 3.2 seconds, and then we become selfish. We want to do anything else. We are lazy. We don’t have the energy to do good. We are bored. We can’t be bothered with the needs of others. Our need comes first, and then we sin. We can’t do it on our own.

That is how Christ did good (the ultimate GOOD) for us. Our needs came first. Jesus did good for us because we could not. We have eternal salvation in Christ because He did not give up on us. 

By the power of the Holy Spirit, you can, and will, do good. You will make good choices and God will bring forth fruit from those good choices. We should pray for strength and opportunities to make good choices and put ourselves in situations that help us to do good. 

However, you are your own person. Good choices are not always easy. You will get distracted, and you will FAIL. You will FALL SHORT. You will make BAD CHOICES. And you know what…God will continue to LOVE YOU, FORGIVE YOU, and GIVE YOU another chance to do good. 

God’s love for you is always there. He is always good (even and especially when we aren’t). God has so much to do, and He takes care of you. God is focused on you because He loves you. God is GOOD, and He does not give up on us. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, keep our eyes focused on you. You have done the ultimate good for us. Empower us with the strength to share that good with others. May we love as you have loved us. May we forgive as you have forgiven us. May we live lives reflective of your love. Amen. 

- Rev. Roger Stites, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Sequim, WA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus’ farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ’s promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.