YOU ARE A TEACHER

WHETHER YOU PLANNED TO BE, OR NOT

A paraphrased portion of the Great Commission, ”As you go, teach all nations,” comes to mind when we read today’s text, “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” Good teaching is always like a “two-way street.” The communication goes both ways. There can be a question plus an answer, or there can be a discussion of what has just been presented, but our text continues, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:6-10.

Our prayers are perfect examples of this as well. Returning to the illustration of the street that flows both ways with traffic, we pray toGod and he answers back tous. Any time that we teach another, there is that sort of exchange. The one whom we are teaching, probably also knows us and how well we are living up to what we teach. There is an old saying, “I cannot hear you, because your actions speak louder than your words.” God, knows us even better than we know ourselves. He has instructed, “As you go, teach.” He meant teach by what you say, but also by what you do. That kind of teaching cannot fail to make an impression.

Everyone is sowing something. Some are teaching a message of materialism. That is rampant today. A better address, a more impressive house, a bigger car, a swimming pool, and expensive clothing: these are all material things. One cannot take any of them with him to heaven. The museums of the world are filled with such things left behind by the wealthy of the world. That is what is meant when the text says, “he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption.” Those things shall all be destroyed, when this world and all that it contains, is destroyed by fire.

In direct contrast, “he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Our Lord is even now putting the final touches on that new world, prepared for his family to occupy forever.

Whether we want to be or not, we are all teachers. This world’s teachers all teach a material god, but God has given a mandate that His teachers, all Christians, must teach a spiritual message. He and his will live eternally in a spiritual heaven.
He urges us on when we grow weary. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” What is this, “if we faint not?” Fainting is a physical thing. If you have ever watched a marathon with thousands of participants, you know that many hundreds never finish. Their physical bodies just cannot take the strain. He is saying in effect, Keep your mind on the goal; think on spiritual things. Don’t turn back to the old ways and old goals. The one who faints, is the one who turned back or dropped out of the race.

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”