Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Thoughts on Galatians 6

I like days like today.  There has been lots of good discussion in the office, much of it challenging, all of it loving.
I was struggling on what to blog today, when I read through Galatians 6.

Doing Good to All

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. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load. 6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 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. 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.

Not Circumcision but a New Creation

11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! 12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14 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. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God. 17 Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
I had a few thoughts while reading this passage.
1) We are to "restore each other gently."  But, we have to watch ourselves, or we will also be tempted.  Correcting sin is a dangerous business, and not something that can be appraoched lightly, without careful prayer.  If not careful, we'll just end up exactly like the sweaty heathen they are.
2)  There is no break between the other person's sin, and us all carrying each other's burdens.  Are they related?
3)  If we somehow aren't careful, or do not carry one another's burdens, we are deceiving ourselves.
4)We should test our own actions, not everyone else's.  Good stuff there.
5) God will not be mocked.  I don't have to worry about all the sweaty heathens out there.  I have been reconciled to God through His Holy Son, and live in His grace.  Those that live in sin will pay the consequences of it.  That is God's nature, and I don't have to be the executioner of that.
6) I just need to do good.  Then, do good.  Then, do some more good.
7)Those who are faking it, trying to look good on the outside while being a mess inside (ZOMBIES!) will try to get me to be the same way.  I don't have to.  I should just go do some more good.
So  maybe that was more than a few thoughts.  What do you think?  Anything else jump out at you from this passage?  Anything that jumped out at me sound crazy?

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