Be Not Weary

Paul in writing to the Galatian Christians admonished them “And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”, (Galatians chapter six and verse nine).  The cause of this admonition is clear from the book.  They were growing weary because of external pressure being put on them to revert to the Jewish faith which would have resulted in their falling from grace, (Galatians chapter five and verse four).  Because of this pressure they were in the process of giving up on their Christian faith, (Chapter one verses six through nine).  They had as Paul put it been bewitched chapter three and verse one.  

We today can also grow weary in our Christian faith; thus the admonition is as relevant today as it was then.  There are many reasons people grow weary in the faith.  Some grow weary because of a weak faith; others grow weary because they have no root or maturity.  Others grow weary because they consider the cost of faithfulness too high, some grow weary because of what they see in other Christians, still others grow weary because of constant temptation, others grow weary because of influence and pressure from family members, some grow weary because they feel that God has let them down or failed them.  The list no doubt could go on and on; but as Paul said “let us not be weary in well doing…”  Let us consider some reasons we should not grow weary.  

One important reason for not giving up is stated in the verse itself, “for in due season we will reap if we faint not.”  What will we reap?  Eternal glory!  The suffering of this present time is not worthy to be compared with the glory to be revealed, (Romans chapter either and verse eighteen).  We often sing the song, “heaven will surely be worth it all”, the reward reaped by the Christian in the next life is the reason given for not giving up or growing weary.  

Another reason for not growing weary is the influence we leave for others to follow.  Influence is a powerful thing.  It will be exercised for good or bad.  We should avoid anything that would cause a brother to stumble (Romans fourteen and verse twenty-one and First Corinthians chapter either and verse thirteen).  Would it not be a terrible thing to stand before the great “I AM” and face a man, woman or young person who would be eternally lost because of my influence left by growing weary?  Do not grow weary, rather let your light shine, that other may see it and glorify your father in heaven, (Matthew chapter five and verse sixteen).  

Another reason we should not grow weary is because of what it does to Christ.  What does it do to Christ if I give up or grow weary and fall away?  Listen to the writer of Hebrews in chapter ten and verse twenty-nine, “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?  No thoughtful Christian would want to do such to Christ.  

Another reason not to grow weary is the eternal consequences.  Paul in his second letter to the Thessalonians said, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power”, (chapter one and verses seven through nine).  We must never give up for the price is too high! 

Bill Cantrell