How can we ‘do good to everyone’? Galatians 6:1-10 gives us some ideas. Firstly, we can gently correct people who have taken the wrong path. Verse 1 says: ‘If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently’ (NIV). When we see that someone isn’t living in a godly way, we have a choice. We can stand back and let it happen, or we can step in and correct them, in a gentle and loving way. Secondly, we can help people through tough times. Verse 2 says:  ^‘Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ’ (NIVUK). If someone’s struggling, we can offer practical and emotional support. We can pray for people. We can even just sit and listen. Thirdly, we need to avoid comparisons. Verse 4 says: ‘Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else’ (NIV). Comparing ourselves leads to rivalry, disunity, and resentment. So to do good to others, we need to accept them for who they are and avoid comparisons. Fourthly, we can thank people and share things with them. Verse 6 says: ‘The one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor’ (NIV). When someone has helped us out, let’s be grateful and show our appreciation to them for doing something good to us. Finally, we can do good to others by following the prompting of the Spirit (take a look at verse 7-8). If we’re just doing good to get something back then we’re not really doing good at all, we’re just trying to please people. Let’s be more interested in God’s heart than pleasing those around us.

What Now?

Choose one of the ways of doing good from this passage in Galatians. Then put it into practice today.