This week we continue our series called Chronos. A term which means time. We have decided to study the scriptures this year in the order they were published. It gives us a very unique insight into the early church and the struggles of a growing movement. This review of history is important because The Center’s leadership believes we are on the cuspid of a great awakening in America. An awakening that will challenge the status quo of the current Christian industrial complex. An institution more concerned with Attendance, Buildings and Cash than the Gospel, Grace and Growth of the kingdom.
This week we begin the book of Galatians. It’s another book written by Paul around 25 years after Jesus' earthly ministry. It’s written to a group of Jews and Gentiles in the central part of present day Turkey. Paul is writing to this church plant because false teachers had come to question not only what he had taught, his place among the leaders of the new movement and to get the new believers to adhere to the jewish customs such as circumcision. Paul’s rant is just about complete as he reminds them of what it means to be Christ follower. Let’s turn to the final chapter in Galatians, 6 verse 1
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
There is a very important contextual note that goes along with this verse. Paul is talking to a group of Christians. He is not talking to society as a whole. Galatia was a hedonistic place in the time of Paul. He was talking to believers. Paul wrote in Romans 3:23-24
There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Christians, like non Christians, are prone to selfish and self centered acts that hurt others. Just because you’ve changed your life focus, doesn’t remove that instinctual drive but it does connect you to a power that can help you overcome your humanness to be more of what you were created to be.
Paul then presents one of the great aspects of being a Christian. Take a listen.
2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Christian community is supposed to be different from other groups you might associate with. Christian community involves helping one another when life gets too much for us to handle. There is a false teaching that God will never give you more than you can handle. It’s a teaching not in the bible. In fact, the bible teaches the opposite.
Remember, Joseph, through no fault of his own, was made a slave and then thrown in jail. He suffered miserably for years. It was God who gave him the power to interpret dreams which was the reason he not only got out of prison but was made second to the King of Egypt. It was all part of a greater plan to save God’s chosen people from dying of starvation during the famine that struck the land. (Genesis 41)
Or remember, David was a shepherd boy who faced lions and bears. Why? Was that something a little boy should have to handle? A little boy who would one day become king? He was given these challenges so that one day he would have the faith and the courage to face a giant named Goliath. Through these hardships, his faith grew exponentially. (1 Samuel 17:34)
Paul knew the truth as well. He was given more than he could handle on several occasions. He was beaten, left for dead, imprisoned and shipwrecked.
God does give you more than you can handle on occasion to force you to lean on Him and on those who represent Him here on earth.
We are given more than we can handle to:
refine us.
grow us spiritually.
rid us of sin.
teach us patience and perseverance.
to humble us.
teach us the power of prayer.
allow us to see God’s power.
experience God’s mercy.
3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
Some believe there is a conflict between verse 5 and verse 2. Do we carry each other's burdens or are we to stay focused on our own? The simple answer is that the spiritual person is encouraged to carry the burdens of other Christians when they are in trouble...AND that everyone is responsible for the life that they live, knowing that we will all be judged for what we have said and done in this life and not done. We are never judged for the deeds of others. We carry the burdens of others as a witness to Christ’s love and we carry our load or responsibilities as a personal reminder of the freedom we have in Christ to be a servant to all.
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
The principle of “Sowing and Reaping” or “cause and effect” mentioned in Gal. 6:7 is a Godly truth. Jesus talks a great deal about farming and sowing and reaping. Every person, Christian and non-Christian alike, is a sower and a reaper. The Bible tells us plainly that whatever one sows, he will reap. We see throughout the scriptures. Like Samson in the book of Judges. He fell from his greatness by the lust of his eyes and the Philistines put his eyes out. In the book of Esther, the wicked man Haman erected gallows to hang Queen Esther’s relative Mordecai, but it was Haman who was hanged. Daniel’s accusers were thrown into the same lion’s den in which they had thrown him. Joseph sowed by storing up food before a great famine spread and he reaped the benefits of saving his own people from starvation.
If you sow good, you will reap good. If you sow evil, you will reap it.
In many ways, this truth gives us comfort because it provides us assurances there is justice and order in the world. However, there are times when it seems like people don’t reap what they sow because we either don’t see the consequences, or the time has not come for a person to reap what they sow, or a well meaning friend has stepped in to allow the failed sower to avoid the consequences.
This last perversion of the Sow and Reap continuum is particularly harmful and even sinful. While the friend may be good intentioned, stepping in usually perpetuates continued irresponsible behavior and thwarts the opportunity for correction. It’s during this time of consequences, a person is forced to walk through and grow. Everyone will reap what they sow.
The big question for us today is: What are you sowing?
Are you sowing unconditional love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?
If not, maybe it's time to repent of what might be preventing you, recommit yourself to the life of Jesus' followers and invite the Holy Spirit in to renew your heart, mind and soul.
Reference: Warren Wiersbe Commentary
https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/galatians-6-5/
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