Tag: restore gently
Restore with gentleness!
Scripture reading for March 29th: Galatians 6, Psalm 63, Proverbs 1
Galatians 6: 1-5 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.”
Paul had just warned the Galatian church about the works of the flesh and that those who are involved in those works will not inherit the kingdom of God. He also had warned these believers about going back under the law and trying to work for their salvation. Those caught in these sins must be dealt with in love and gentleness. Walking in the Spirit means we do everything in love. We bear one another’s burdens of weakness and even sin to God in prayer for our brothers and sisters. We should first examine ourselves to be sure we are not operating in sin ourselves or in pride or a haughty spirit instead of the Holy Spirit. We will all have to answer before God for our attitudes and actions!
Psalm 63:3-4 “Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your Name I will lift up my hands.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your knowledge and instruction for Your children. Thank You for sharing this knowledge through the Word of God. Help me with this instruction on restoring brothers and sisters caught in sin and transgression or following the lies of our enemy Satan. Keep me from pride and deception in my own heart. I desire to be innocent of great transgression when You judge.
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Boasting in the Cross of Christ!
Scripture reading for August 24th: Galatians 6
“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1-2) Paul ended his letter dealing with false teaching by encouraging the church members to gently and humbly help those caught in a trap of sin. That sin might have been one of the acts of the sinful nature described by Paul, or it might have been the sin of trying to keep the law rather than walk by faith in the grace of Christ. Paul warned them to be careful in restoration, that they not also be tempted. Christ’s law is the law of love–love our neighbor as ourselves.
“Don’t be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8) When we continue to live in known sin and yet claim to know Christ, we actually are mocking God. We can’t mock God without consequences! How we live is like sowing seed. We do reap what we sow!
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision or uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.” (Galatians 6:14-15) Paul’s faith rested in the finished work of his Lord Jesus Christ! He was a new creation in Christ. This truth must be the foundation of all believers! What is your boast today?