Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
This one is pretty clear, isn’t it? I’m not sure I really even need to say anything.
Let’s just spend some time reflecting on our current “state of affairs.” Are we mocking God and His tremendous gift of grace? Are we spitting upon the gift of Jesus and His blood? With what we are sowing today, what will we reap tomorrow?
I pray that each of us will be reaping eternal life (and all that goes with it), rather than destruction.
Are you mocking God? Scary thought, isn’t it?
Friday, October 13, 2006
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Our Instructors
Galatians 6:6
Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.
Here we have one verse of many that supports our having paid pastors and teachers. We would like to think that our pastors and teachers should be willing to work and study and learn all for free. Yet, when it comes to our jobs we can readily see that we need compensation (and most everyone would say they don’t get what they deserve – whatever that may be). We tend to think that this is a new concept, paying our leaders, and wonder if it is even Biblical. Well, as you can see, it is.
It was Biblical even before Christ. The Israelites were commanded to take their tithes to the temple, and the Levites (those set aside to do the work of the Lord) were then fed and taken care of through those offerings. Now, you and I could give groceries, or land, or houses, or cars, or whatever (and I’ve heard of people doing this), but really, it’s much easier to give a tithe of our income, and let that go to take care of our modern-day Levites.
I like that this verse says that we “must share all good things” (emphasis mine). Not our leftovers, the things we don’t like anymore, the things that we are debating throwing away and think that maybe the church would like them instead. Even the Israelites were told to give the first fruits of their crops – the first, the best, not whatever is left unwanted. These brothers and sisters share their time, energy, and talents with us, and so we should be willing (and eager) to share with them, don’t you agree?
This could even go beyond the church to other ministries we have been blessed by. I can think of so many that God has used to bless my life. Perhaps you don’t have money to give, but I’m sure you have something else you could offer. I bet we’d be surprised at what God can do with our gifts and talents when we offer them to Him.
Let’s go to God today and ask what He would have us share. I’m sure we can each name one or two people in our lives that have blessed us immensely with their teaching and insight. Let’s go to God today and ask how we can return the blessing to them! (And guess what? We’ll probably be blessed right back again! Isn’t God wonderful?!)
Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.
Here we have one verse of many that supports our having paid pastors and teachers. We would like to think that our pastors and teachers should be willing to work and study and learn all for free. Yet, when it comes to our jobs we can readily see that we need compensation (and most everyone would say they don’t get what they deserve – whatever that may be). We tend to think that this is a new concept, paying our leaders, and wonder if it is even Biblical. Well, as you can see, it is.
It was Biblical even before Christ. The Israelites were commanded to take their tithes to the temple, and the Levites (those set aside to do the work of the Lord) were then fed and taken care of through those offerings. Now, you and I could give groceries, or land, or houses, or cars, or whatever (and I’ve heard of people doing this), but really, it’s much easier to give a tithe of our income, and let that go to take care of our modern-day Levites.
I like that this verse says that we “must share all good things” (emphasis mine). Not our leftovers, the things we don’t like anymore, the things that we are debating throwing away and think that maybe the church would like them instead. Even the Israelites were told to give the first fruits of their crops – the first, the best, not whatever is left unwanted. These brothers and sisters share their time, energy, and talents with us, and so we should be willing (and eager) to share with them, don’t you agree?
This could even go beyond the church to other ministries we have been blessed by. I can think of so many that God has used to bless my life. Perhaps you don’t have money to give, but I’m sure you have something else you could offer. I bet we’d be surprised at what God can do with our gifts and talents when we offer them to Him.
Let’s go to God today and ask what He would have us share. I’m sure we can each name one or two people in our lives that have blessed us immensely with their teaching and insight. Let’s go to God today and ask how we can return the blessing to them! (And guess what? We’ll probably be blessed right back again! Isn’t God wonderful?!)
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Comparisons
Galatians 6:3-5
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.
We’ve talked about others sinning, and our helping to carry their burdens, but now the focus comes right back around to us. It is generally more difficult to look at ourselves honestly, than it is to look at others, isn’t it? I wonder why that is.
I think that most of us have one of two reactions to an inward look – we are either too soft, or too harsh. We can sugar-coat everything, convincing ourselves that our motives are pure, and our actions are God-centered. Or we can just beat ourselves up for each and every little thing we do wrong, always assuming the worst of ourselves. Which do you lean toward? I know exactly where I land.
Neither is a healthy way of living, and it takes a lot of time, practice, and help to get to the point where honest introspection comes naturally. Honesty is so important, as is resisting the urge to compare ourselves to others (which is another thing we like to do – both good and bad). However, when we get to the point where we can finally look at and test our actions, and see them for what they truly are, we will be able to look to God for any adjustments we will need, and go on our way. We will be able to see what He wants of us, and whether or not that is the direction we are headed. Easier said than done, isn’t it? Then we can be proud about what God is doing in and through us. Not a haughty pride, but a pride that looks into the face of God, and declares His great glory every step of the way.
Why should we work toward this? Because God has something He wants to do in and through each and every one of us. And each adventure is different. Completely different. We cannot compare, because there is no way to do so and have it really work. What God is asking of me will not be what He asks of you. And each of us needs to “carry his own load,” because there is no one else in the same position to be as effective. There is no one else uniquely and perfectly equipped to do what God has designed us to do.
So let’s step-up, look at ourselves honestly, and ask God what He would have us do next. Let’s not worry about next year, next week, or even tomorrow, only what He wants us to do today. Will you join me?
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.
We’ve talked about others sinning, and our helping to carry their burdens, but now the focus comes right back around to us. It is generally more difficult to look at ourselves honestly, than it is to look at others, isn’t it? I wonder why that is.
I think that most of us have one of two reactions to an inward look – we are either too soft, or too harsh. We can sugar-coat everything, convincing ourselves that our motives are pure, and our actions are God-centered. Or we can just beat ourselves up for each and every little thing we do wrong, always assuming the worst of ourselves. Which do you lean toward? I know exactly where I land.
Neither is a healthy way of living, and it takes a lot of time, practice, and help to get to the point where honest introspection comes naturally. Honesty is so important, as is resisting the urge to compare ourselves to others (which is another thing we like to do – both good and bad). However, when we get to the point where we can finally look at and test our actions, and see them for what they truly are, we will be able to look to God for any adjustments we will need, and go on our way. We will be able to see what He wants of us, and whether or not that is the direction we are headed. Easier said than done, isn’t it? Then we can be proud about what God is doing in and through us. Not a haughty pride, but a pride that looks into the face of God, and declares His great glory every step of the way.
Why should we work toward this? Because God has something He wants to do in and through each and every one of us. And each adventure is different. Completely different. We cannot compare, because there is no way to do so and have it really work. What God is asking of me will not be what He asks of you. And each of us needs to “carry his own load,” because there is no one else in the same position to be as effective. There is no one else uniquely and perfectly equipped to do what God has designed us to do.
So let’s step-up, look at ourselves honestly, and ask God what He would have us do next. Let’s not worry about next year, next week, or even tomorrow, only what He wants us to do today. Will you join me?
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Burdens
Galatians 6:2
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
We talked yesterday about gently restoring a fellow brother or sister when they have sinned. This verse brings us to the next part of that thought. Not only should we restore those who have sinned, but we also need to carry each other’s burdens. We need to help each other when we are suffering, weary, struggling with temptation or with life in general. We need to be Jesus with skin-on.
Here’s the thing. In order to be able to bear each other’s burdens (and have our own burdens shared), we need to be involved in each other’s lives. We can’t bear the burden of another person if we do not even know they have a burden to bear.
This also means we need to be willing to open up to those around us, share our struggles, pain, disappointments, hopes, and dreams. We must let them come beside us and help us, strengthen us, challenge us, encourage us, speak into our lives, and even sacrifice for us, just as we would do for them.
Do you have people in your life with whom you are living life? Are you building the kind of relationship with them that allows you to open up to them and them to you? Are you willing to sacrifice for them, be inconvenienced for them? Are you willing to humble yourself and let them sacrifice and be inconvenienced for you?
God created us to live in fellowship with one-another. We will not grow and experience all that He has for us if we are not living intimately with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If you have people like this in your life, praise God for them today, and seek Him (and them) to discover if there is a burden of theirs that you can help them carry. If not, pray that God would bring those people into your life. Since it is His desire that we would live like this, I’m sure He has just the right people in mind for each and every one of us!
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
We talked yesterday about gently restoring a fellow brother or sister when they have sinned. This verse brings us to the next part of that thought. Not only should we restore those who have sinned, but we also need to carry each other’s burdens. We need to help each other when we are suffering, weary, struggling with temptation or with life in general. We need to be Jesus with skin-on.
Here’s the thing. In order to be able to bear each other’s burdens (and have our own burdens shared), we need to be involved in each other’s lives. We can’t bear the burden of another person if we do not even know they have a burden to bear.
This also means we need to be willing to open up to those around us, share our struggles, pain, disappointments, hopes, and dreams. We must let them come beside us and help us, strengthen us, challenge us, encourage us, speak into our lives, and even sacrifice for us, just as we would do for them.
Do you have people in your life with whom you are living life? Are you building the kind of relationship with them that allows you to open up to them and them to you? Are you willing to sacrifice for them, be inconvenienced for them? Are you willing to humble yourself and let them sacrifice and be inconvenienced for you?
God created us to live in fellowship with one-another. We will not grow and experience all that He has for us if we are not living intimately with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If you have people like this in your life, praise God for them today, and seek Him (and them) to discover if there is a burden of theirs that you can help them carry. If not, pray that God would bring those people into your life. Since it is His desire that we would live like this, I’m sure He has just the right people in mind for each and every one of us!
Monday, October 09, 2006
Restoration
Galatians 6:1
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.
Ah yes, someone else being caught in a sin. Juicy gossip. Righteous outrage. Judgmental stares. Apparently, that isn’t what God wants us to do. OK, so now what?
We restore them. “Restore them?!?” Yes, restore them gently.
The Greek word for “restore” is translated “to mend, to repair; to strengthen, perfect, complete, make one what he ought to be.” Wow! That’s quite different from the approach we often take, isn’t it? Many times, in our churches, we throw them out, distance ourselves from them, pretending we have every right to do so. Now, if this person has been caught and refuses to repent, continuing in their sin, that’s a whole different scenario. However, when the person admits that they are in the wrong, and begin taking steps toward healing and forgiveness, we need to be there to help them, to mend and repair them, to strengthen them, to make them what they ought to be. And we need to do so gently, not being harsh and cruel. Just as we would re-set a child’s broken arm, so we need to be when we are helping to re-set a sister or brother’s broken spirit.
Is this the approach we take when we see a sister or brother fall? Or do we react more harshly, judgmentally? Let’s be the ones to give them help, to love on them, to support them, to pray for them. Let’s be the ones that do not talk about them and their failures. After all, next time, it could be us!
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.
Ah yes, someone else being caught in a sin. Juicy gossip. Righteous outrage. Judgmental stares. Apparently, that isn’t what God wants us to do. OK, so now what?
We restore them. “Restore them?!?” Yes, restore them gently.
The Greek word for “restore” is translated “to mend, to repair; to strengthen, perfect, complete, make one what he ought to be.” Wow! That’s quite different from the approach we often take, isn’t it? Many times, in our churches, we throw them out, distance ourselves from them, pretending we have every right to do so. Now, if this person has been caught and refuses to repent, continuing in their sin, that’s a whole different scenario. However, when the person admits that they are in the wrong, and begin taking steps toward healing and forgiveness, we need to be there to help them, to mend and repair them, to strengthen them, to make them what they ought to be. And we need to do so gently, not being harsh and cruel. Just as we would re-set a child’s broken arm, so we need to be when we are helping to re-set a sister or brother’s broken spirit.
Is this the approach we take when we see a sister or brother fall? Or do we react more harshly, judgmentally? Let’s be the ones to give them help, to love on them, to support them, to pray for them. Let’s be the ones that do not talk about them and their failures. After all, next time, it could be us!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
