Moving on from chapter 5 Paul continues to carry the picture of a community free of conceitedness, jealousy and envy. This is the family (note brothers and sisters) of God. He now gives instructions to when things get difficult within that community. The instruction is for ordinary Christians who are walking with the Spirit, who live by the Spirit and who are in alignment with Him (as in chapter 5).
“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. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6 v 1-2)
Some people are caught.
At times I have heard the sound of almost rejoicing when a Christian is caught. It is almost like, ‘yes we got them!’ Where did that ever come from?
Where did Peter deny Jesus? It was around a fire. Where was he restored? Yes, around a fire.
Do you recall how on the lakeshore Peter was facing a fire with Jesus behind it, a gentle reminder of his failure. No one says anything, it’s silent.
This is what Jesus didn’t say to Peter: “I told you so. I said you would deny me. But oh no you insisted you wouldn’t. You are so full of words and your own importance. When it came to it you were no better than the rest of them. How do you feel now?”
That could have been the response. But there is no investigation or inquiry so that lessons could be learnt. There’s just Jesus, Peter and a fire.
We do need the gentleness of Christ leading us to our ‘fires’ that the process of healing and restoration may begin. The restoration word means to render complete again and to make one what he/she ought to be. How amazing is that?!
Some people are burdened. Paul gives an example of what the law of Christ is. In 5:13 he said it was to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ but what does that mean? It is to stand in their shoes; to get underneath the weight of their life and carry it; instead of laying burdens on them as the false teachers were doing it is to take them off.
Some will have woken today to the hurt of yesterday.
When we are the sinner we cry for mercy. But the natural response when we are sinned against is to cry for justice.
The blood of Jesus is not ‘Father get these murderers’ but “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
What name needs to be mentioned that would cause you to react with? They may have died years ago. The event is not far from you. Is unforgiveness still there?
Some in the church love Matthew 18:15 and quote it often as they storm off to confront a brother about the hurt they have caused them. But that verse has nothing to do with getting even nor about someone dealing with their hurt or anger. This is all about reconciliation back into the community of believers. This is all about taking responsibility for each other. This is all about spurring one another on, iron sharpening iron, accountability and making sure disciples don’t fall away.
We want the very best for people. Whether they are caught in a sin or burdened by the weight of life, we are there for them because it fulfils the law of Christ and it is what the Spirit wants us to do.
Missions Paul 