Daily Bread 2011 - Galatians 6
Daily Bread 2011 – Galatians 6
Doing Good to All
1 Brothers (and sisters), if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load.
What Does This Mean?
As Paul finishes up his letter (epistle) the church in Galatia, he gives some general instruction regarding how to handle when someone is caught in a sin. Obviously, we all sin every day, but the sense here is someone caught in a habitual sin that could bring damage to the cause of Christ. When Paul says “you who are spiritual should restore him”, he is not talking about the spiritual elite, or spiritual superstars. Earlier he made clear that all who walk by the Spirit are spiritual, meaning all believers.
We all have the duty to humbly help others when they are caught in a moral failure. And Paul recommends we do this with gentleness remembering that we too have been forgiven of a multitude of sins. We often see the case where someone who is really judgmental of others in their sin, end up falling themselves. That is why Paul warns against harsh treatment of someone struggling with sin.
The word “restore” is the same word for mending a broken bone, or a fisherman mending a torn net. The idea is once the thing is restored, it can be useful again. Such is true with the sinner who is restored to fellowship that they often become the most productive in the body because they have realized God’s grace is sufficient for them.
What Does This Mean For Us?
If we are fully aware of our own capacity for sin and failure, we are more likely to be compassionate to others who are struggling. When we are quick to throw the first stone, we are unlikely aware of our own brokenness and need of God’s grace. If you are feeling particularly judgmental of other’s sins, it might be helpful to review your own track record and remember how many times God has forgiven you, before you go off on someone else.
God cannot be mocked so it is not if someone is going to get away with something. As someone has said, “the church is the only place that shoots its wounded!” May it never be! May our churches be places where people not only learn about grace when they come to faith, but places where grace is the last word even when we fail!
Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace that saved a wretch like me! Help me to afford others the same grace that you have lavished on me through Your Son. When I am tempted to judge and cast the first stone help me to remember how you have restored me to the fellowship you have with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.
Doing Good to All
1 Brothers (and sisters), if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load.
What Does This Mean?
As Paul finishes up his letter (epistle) the church in Galatia, he gives some general instruction regarding how to handle when someone is caught in a sin. Obviously, we all sin every day, but the sense here is someone caught in a habitual sin that could bring damage to the cause of Christ. When Paul says “you who are spiritual should restore him”, he is not talking about the spiritual elite, or spiritual superstars. Earlier he made clear that all who walk by the Spirit are spiritual, meaning all believers.
We all have the duty to humbly help others when they are caught in a moral failure. And Paul recommends we do this with gentleness remembering that we too have been forgiven of a multitude of sins. We often see the case where someone who is really judgmental of others in their sin, end up falling themselves. That is why Paul warns against harsh treatment of someone struggling with sin.
The word “restore” is the same word for mending a broken bone, or a fisherman mending a torn net. The idea is once the thing is restored, it can be useful again. Such is true with the sinner who is restored to fellowship that they often become the most productive in the body because they have realized God’s grace is sufficient for them.
What Does This Mean For Us?
If we are fully aware of our own capacity for sin and failure, we are more likely to be compassionate to others who are struggling. When we are quick to throw the first stone, we are unlikely aware of our own brokenness and need of God’s grace. If you are feeling particularly judgmental of other’s sins, it might be helpful to review your own track record and remember how many times God has forgiven you, before you go off on someone else.
God cannot be mocked so it is not if someone is going to get away with something. As someone has said, “the church is the only place that shoots its wounded!” May it never be! May our churches be places where people not only learn about grace when they come to faith, but places where grace is the last word even when we fail!
Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace that saved a wretch like me! Help me to afford others the same grace that you have lavished on me through Your Son. When I am tempted to judge and cast the first stone help me to remember how you have restored me to the fellowship you have with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.
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