Gospelology (Part 17)
Gospel and Community
Galatians 6:1-10 ESV
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. One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
What does "Jesus changed my life" mean?
- He changed my actions? - He changed my status? - He changed my circumstances? Or is it that Jesus changed what is my life. He is my life. He is my riches. He is my righteousness, He is my home, He is my Father. I have it all in Him.
Do you believe?
- Do you believe that the only reason you are righteous is because of the finished work of Jesus? - Do you believe that Jesus rose from the dead and His living spirit dwells within us giving us a new heart? - Do you believe that His spirit is stronger than flesh and is working in me and through me? - Do you believe you are adopted by God and He has placed his Spirit inside you? - Do you believe you are free?
Believe one thing and do another...
Can you believe in one thing and do another? In this country's twisted logic you can. But what is faith? Can I say I have faith in someone and still do what I want? No not at all in the economy of scripture. Faith is not just believing it is depending. It is investing all in what you believe.
What do the spiritual sow into?
- "Love one another" is found at least a dozen times in the New Testament. - "pray for one another" James 5:16 - "edify one another" 1 Thes. 5:11 - prefer one another Rom. 12:10 - "use hospitality to one another" 1 Peter 4:9 vs.1 Bear one another's burdens - The legalist is not interested in bearing one another's burdens.
Caught in sin
The illustration given in the first 5 verses are showing someone who is caught in sin. - the word caught carries with it the idea of being surprised, not the case of deliberate disobedience It calls those who are spiritual to restore them. - This is sowing in the spirit and it takes someone who is mature and spiritual to work with someone in sin. - This is right after the verses about the one who is walking in the spirit bearing the fruits of the Spirit. The spiritual is one who ministers to others not out of there own strength or for there own good.
How do we deal with others who are in sin?
- Restoration is always the goal (Matt. 18; 1 Cor. 5:5) - Gentleness (v1) - Carry the load (v2) - Humble (v3) 1. You sow into the weak 2. You sow into the teacher (v6) Do not grow weary of doing good.