21. The Book Of Galatians – Chapter 6:1 - Message 21 – The Responsibility In Your High Calling: A Fallen Christian Series

21. THE BOOK OF GALATIANS – CHAPTER 6:1 - MESSAGE 21 – THE RESPONSIBILITY IN YOUR HIGH CALLING: A FALLEN CHRISTIAN

We begin the last chapter of Galatians and there is much in it. Remember Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia to combat the error of the Judaisers that were turning the Christians there to the Law, which they were unable to keep. Grace separates from Law. One walking by the grace of God will, and must not turn to the bondage of the Law. We take up this very full verse 1 of the chapter.

{{Galatians 6:1: “BRETHREN, even if a man is CAUGHT in any trespass, you who are SPIRITUAL, restore such a one in a spirit of GENTLENESS, each one looking to yourself, LEST YOU too be tempted.”}}

Paul addresses them as “brethren/brothers”. He now deals with a serious matter. I want to deal with 5 words from the verse –

[1]. BRETHREN

Brethren can be used of the men or it can be wider in an inclusive sense. Normally in the New Testament it means the men, and in this verse, it is the men who are addressed, BUT not all men (we look at that with the word SPIRITUAL shortly). There is a closeness with that word, and you remember there are a couple of references to the brethren of Jesus (usually translated “brothers”). {{Mark 3:31 “His mother AND HIS BROTHERS arrived and standing outside they sent word to Him and called Him”}}

Brethren indicates a family as we have earthly families; so too a Christian family, the church. Some in churches look on a church like a club, or society, more a welcoming, social gathering but it is not that. It is far deeper than that. We are sons and daughters of the living God, a congregation of the redeemed, a blood-bought family where this verse applies – {{Hebrews 2:11 “for both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father, for which reason He is NOT ASHAMED TO CALL THEM BRETHREN.”}}

In writing to the Thessalonians, Paul is anticipating there might be trouble from a small number in the fellowship who would want to disregard what the Apostle was saying; in other words bits of trouble makers. Here is this verse – {{2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 “If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that man and DO NOT ASSOCIATE WITH HIM, so that he may be put to shame, and yet do not regard him as an enemy, but ADMONISH HIM AS A BROTHER.”}}

Two instructions are given to the church – NOT to associate with the one who is being objectionable, but at the same time TO admonish him as a brother. What we learn as we mature in the faith is that the scriptures are the watershed, and our behaviour relies on them. I think “associate” used regarding the disagreeable man, means social interaction outside the church fellowship. The admonishing is in view to his restoration, not to make someone an outcast forever. To admonish someone is extremely difficult because the range for most people lies between judgmental fury and condescension; being scared, and uncertain what to say.

Then we have Romans that tells us we are to avoid those who cause divisions and offence. In the NASB it is:- {{Romans 16:17 “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those WHO CAUSE DISSENSIONS AND HINDRANCES contrary to the teaching which you learned, and TURN AWAY FROM THEM.”}} There is no instruction here to restore them because those who cause dissention are enemies, so we turn away from them. Another scripture – {{Ephesians 4:1-3: “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner WORTHY OF THE CALLING with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, BEING DILIGENT TO PRESERVE THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE.”}} We are children of the Lord in His family and have both honour shown, and privileges to maintain. We love as in a family.

The whole essence of Galatians 6:1 is restoration, not further division or self-righteousness on display. This whole verse is saturated in true humility. Brothers and sisters in the Lord, stand firm in the grace which is in Christ Jesus, and be led by the Holy Spirit as He desires. Follow His lead, not yours.

[2]. CAUGHT

GOTCHA! We hear that in children’s play and in some games. In fact I think there may have even been a board game in the 1950s with that title.

Have you ever watched a spider on its web sitting there silently and an insect becomes ensnared in the web. Immediately the spider races over and encases the victim in silk. Once ensnared rarely does anything escape the spider’s web.