Hello
Friends!
During
this week’s gathering, we’ll continue to work our way through the book written
to the Galatians as we consider
the ONE and ONLY saving “salvation” message of “Jesus Christ” as decreed throughout this excellent
Epistle – “Only ONE Gospel!”
Galatians: Only ONE Gospel! (Chapter 6:1-6)
1 Brethren,
if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one
in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear
ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For
if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth
himself. 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall
he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For
every man shall bear his own burden. 6 Let
him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good
things – Galatians 6:1-6
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: To deny “sin” is FOOLISH particularly in the light of the “Scripture” itself. In fact, TWO things
happen when “sin” is DENIED
within the “Church” body:
ONE: We “deceive
ourselves” of God’s “truth”
itself:
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the
truth is not in us – 1 John 1:8
TWO: We “make”
God a “liar” in jest:
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his
word is not in us – 1 John 1:10
WHY?
Because God through His “Word”
affirms that ALL are indeed “sinful”
by our “fallen” human nature – Deeply DEPRAVED!
However,
“we” too as “believers”
in “Jesus Christ” need to be REMINDED from
time to time that we’re NOT alone in this “Christian”
battle, struggling with our besetting “sins”
and “temptations” all by ourselves. We are here
for “one another” in love. And admittedly, that
involves caring CONFRONTATION for the express purpose of right RESTORATION through
a RIGHTEOUS luminous
“life” of serious – SANTIFICATION power!
If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness – 1 John 1:9
Wherefore lay
apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness
the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls – James 1:21
For in many
things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man,
and able also to bridle the whole body – James 3:2
Therefore,
the “Apostle Paul” provides for “us” a poignant principle pattern
for “baring” each other’s “burdens”
within the “Christian” life – PICK them up! HOLD them up! BUILD them up!
The
FIRST principle ~ PICK them up!
Brethren, if a man be overtaken
in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of
meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted – Galatians 6:1
“Brethren,” when “we”
find another “believer” living in habitual
serious “sin” patterns, a loving CONFRONTATION is
necessary. However, this approach is NOT
meant to crush that individual, push them down nor
render final judgment in a fickle “fault”
finding rift. Rather, it is meant to patiently “restore”
them through a “spirit of meekness” unto the
Lord. WHY? Lest “we”
too be “tempted” as such – A Caring CAUTION!
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: In fact, our “Lord
Jesus” provided this instruction as a precursor
to the “birth of the church” on the
near horizon:
Moreover if thy brother shall
trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if
he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee,
then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three
witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them,
tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto
thee as an heathen man and a publican – Matthew
18:15-17
And
here again “Jesus” directly addresses
the “sin” of the woman “caught”
in adultery…
When Jesus had lifted up himself,
and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine
accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said
unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more – John
8:10-11
That's
how “we” do it too! HOW?
In “considering thyself” first! Those “religious” hypocritical “Scribes and Pharisees” full well KNEW they
had NO right
to “cast a stone” her way…
So when they
continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is
without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her… And they which
heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one,
beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the
woman standing in the midst – John 8:7 & 9
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: Incidentally, the Greek word for “overtaken” used here is paraptma of which means to be snagged in a
temptation. Thus, Paul instructs the “spiritual”
person in matters of MATURITY of whom “live”
and humbly “walk by the Spirit” in sound
OBEDIENCE to
God. And "restore" is also an interesting Greek verb katartizō of which means to mend,
fix
or repair. Therefore,
the mature “one” of whom “lives” rightly empowered by the “Holy Spirit” in accordance to
God’s revealed “will” found throughout His
wonderful “Word” must diligently HELP to rightly “restore”
them who are paraptma in the flesh – PICK
them up!
The
SECOND principle ~ HOLD them up!
Bear ye one another's burdens,
and so fulfil the law of Christ – Galatians 6:2
CONTEXTUAL COMMENTS: The Greek word for "burdens" utilized here is baros meaning “heavy loads that
are hard to carry” as such. And on-going “sin”
and “temptation” are VERY heavy loads to carry indeed! This
passage speaks to those aggressive and habitual
serious “sins” of which accompany
such force that regularly seek to pull us down into deep DESPAIR. However, to be PICKED up from such “sins”
does NOT always
relieve
us of the “temptation” to the besetting
“sin” itself. In fact, it may NEVER go
away THIS side of glory – The DEVIL’S
device!
Therefore,
“we” must HELP
to boldly “bear” each other’s “burdens” in order to rightly “fulfill” the “law
of Christ” itself:
A new commandment I give unto
you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one
another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love
one to another – John
13:34-35
For all the law
is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
thyself – Galatians 5:14
QUIZZING QUESTION: WHAT does this marvelous “ministry” involve? It requires
a sincere “love” for “one another” through godly PRAYER, FELLOWSHIP and ACCOUNTABILITY
as mandated – The LAW of LOVE!
Thus
Paul instructs “us” to not only PICK them up but
“we” must also HOLD
them up as well – Biblical ENCOURAGEMENT!
However,
Paul also offers ANOTHER stern WARNING to
further “consider” in this meaningful
matter:
For if a man think himself to be
something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself – Galatians 6:3
Here
Paul simply identifies the fact that “we”
may NOT always stop to PICK
them up as such. WHY?
Because perhaps we “think” ourselves to be better
than they are. Or perhaps we simply don't make the TIME
to do so. Sadly, we may even look down upon “someone” else or even feel superior
to them. Thus, when we “think”
we are “something” when we're really
“nothing” we deeply “deceiveth”
ourselves…
We then that are
strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves – Romans 15:1
Now we exhort
you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the
weak, be patient toward all men – 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Beloved,
we may indeed be a bit more sophisticated or polished than other folks.
However, “we” are in NO way
better than ANY other “sinner”
equally accountable unto God Almighty. In fact, it is ONLY the
perfect “righteousness of Christ” of
which FULLY covers us IN
Him – Praise the Lord!
But let every man prove his own
work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another – Galatians 6:4
POIGNANT POINT: Our responsibility is to “prove” our own “work”
unto the Lord. WHY? To be sure our attitudes
are RIGHT before
Him! In other words, we must NOT become proud. Rather, we MUST rightly assess our own LIVES and
then we can truly boast IN the Lord alone. WHY?
Because it is the “Lord Jesus Christ” working THROUGH us powerfully! Incidentally, the
Lord doesn't “will” that anyone
be engaged in His spiritual “work”
of whom doesn't FIRST do some serious self-evaluation. Therefore,
we can “rejoice” in what GOD is doing THROUGH each of us as humble servants – HOLD them up!
Then
Paul continues
with this similar statement:
For every man shall bear his own
burden – Galatians
6:5
At
first glance, this verse may appear to be a contradiction, but
it is NOT at all! WHY?
Because back in verse 2 Paul
instructs us to willingly “Bear ye one
another's burdens” as baros but here
Paul says to “bear his own burden" as
such. A completely DIFFERENT Greek word phortion is
used here for “burden” of which has to do
with the general “loads” in life, not a
particular heavy “burden” of personal “sin” in and of itself – Our spiritual duties!
The
THIRD principle
~ BUILD them up!
Let him that is
taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things – Galatians 6:6
Once
we PICK them up, we humbly HOLD
them up faithfully as a LOVING
act of our spiritual duty. Now we can boldly BUILD them up in the Lord. HOW?
We are to be His instruments of HOLINESS in “one another's”
lives! Incidentally, the “good things”
mentioned here refer to moral and spiritual
excellence through the “truth”
that flows from the “Word of God”
itself. We thus share together in all those
wonderful “things” of God. And we now
become the teacher. In fact, the Greek word for “taught” here is koinne in that there is a mutual sharing of divine
truth…
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is
any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the
elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the
name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord
shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be
healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much…
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him
know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save
a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins – James
5:13-16 & 19-20
This
koinne
might be via personal “teaching”
as we “communicate”
God’s “truth” through diligent involvement
in Bible study or a myriad of different ways set forth to ENCOURAGE personal GROWTH and MATURITY found in “Jesus Christ”
our Lord – BUILD them up!
Brethren,
these POWERFULLY poignant
passages represent true – BIBLICAL discipleship!
In closing:
Beloved,
if “we” are going to be ALL of these “things”
for the benefit of other “believers” we
MUST first
address our own “lives” through PERSONAL on-going cleansing. Our “sin” absolutely devastates us in
our “worship” and “service”
unto the Lord. It takes away our “joy,”
our “peace,” our “love,”
our “assurance” and our “usefulness”
for Him and all “others” around us. Our “sin” weakens our confidence in “God” and our trust in Him. Our
“sin” steals our anticipation of
the “return of Jesus Christ” and robs us of the
“hope of heaven” eternal. In fact, our “sin” actually destroys our “ministry” efforts as well. HOW? We sadly become “vessels”
uniformly UNFIT for our Mighty – Master's
USE!
And
“sin” completely poisons the “church” with its permeating influence
likened to “leaven” as Paul elsewhere
addresses the “carnal” folks in Corinth:
It is reported commonly that
there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named
among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. And ye are puffed
up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken
away from among you… In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered
together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver
such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be
saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that
a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven,
that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover
is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven,
neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread
of sincerity and truth… But
now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a
brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a
drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to
do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves
that wicked person – 1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 5-8 & 11-13
Similarly,
if we're unloving we will NOT
be willing to “bear” someone else's “burdens” and thus “fulfill
the law of Christ” Himself. Similarly, if we are too PROUD we will NOT
rightly assess ourselves and will thus “think”
we are “something” when we are
really “nothing” at all…
Having therefore
these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of
the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God – 2 Corinthians 7:1
We
ALL collectively
have the OPPORTUNITY to dutifully
demonstrate
unto the “lost” and watching “world” the POWER of the saving “gospel”
message of “Jesus Christ” and His
transforming POWER of Whom has CHANGED us and put His “Holy Spirit”
within us. We must diligently DO this collectively if we are going
to let His great “Glory” shine! And so I must
be concerned
not only about MY own “sin”
itself… I’m concerned for YOURS as
well. WHY? Because your “sin” may actually debilitate my own
“testimony” as much as – MY own!
Sometimes
the “church” can be pretty malicious. In
fact, “someone” once wrote:
"I have often thought that if I ever fall
into such a trespass like that woman I pray that I don't land in the hands of
the censorious, critical, self-righteous judges who are in my church. Let
me fall into the hand of the bartender, street walkers or dope peddlers rather
than church people who tear me apart with their long, wagging, gossiping
tongues cutting me to shreds…" ~ Author unknown
AMEN to that!
Therefore,
we MUST indeed harken “ourselves”
to some hard EXAMINATION of heart…
Examine
yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your
own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? – 2 Corinthians 13:5
Brethren,
it is our spiritual DUTY within the “fellowship of believers” to lovingly and
gently
assist those who have “fallen”
into “sin” as we PICK them up,
HOLD them up
and BUILD them up
in ongoing – Discipleship!
REAL REFLECTIONS: Beloved, may God give US the courage and boldness
to “contend earnestly for the faith”
that was signed, sealed and delivered
some – 2000 years ago…
Beloved,
when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was
needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly
contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints – Jude 3
Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!
With
these thoughts in consideration towards your own personal studies, please read
through verses 1-6 in the sixth chapter of
the excellent book to the Galatians.
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!
Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"Lighthouse Publications <><
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.