Gently and Humbly

Reading: Galatians 6; Psalm 111 1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody. (Galatians 6:1-3 NLT) OK, Friends! This is where the rubber meets the road! Paul is talking about the same truth he covers so thoroughly in 1 Corinthians 12 when he said so clearly that as members of Christ’s Body we can never say, “I don’t need them” and we can never say, “They don’t need me!” No matter how clear we are on Law and Grace, Faith and Works, and Freedom in Christ, it’s all just religious posturing unless we actually love and serve others with our Grace, our Faith, and our Freedom! Here’s some practical, functional, Christian Faith Attitude and Action for us all:
• When another Christian brother or sister is stuck in sin-related troubles, don’t judge them. Don’t separate from them. Don’t tell everyone else how badly they’ve sinned. Instead, realizing we’re all subject to temptations, help them get back on track! Don’t arrogantly preach at them! Gently and humbly help them!
• Share each other’s troubles and problems. Christ’s Law: Love as you are loved. Love as you would be loved. Love whether or not you’re loved in return! Love! By the way, I think the practical application of this admonition will cost time, money, and inconvenience, don’t you? Let’s do it anyway!
• In our culture, chronic busyness is a marker of importance. If you’re really, really important, you’re probably too busy to get personally involved in other people’s needs. That’s why we have a pastoral care team at the church, that’s why we have social service agencies in the communities. What if I just give some money so someone else can help them? Don’t fool yourself! The way this stuff works is that we need to help others just as much as others need to be helped! Prayer: Father, Please help me with this! Please help us kids treat the other kids better! Help me not to judge but to encourage. Help me not to be arrogant but humble, not selfish but generous. Help me not to make excuses but to get involved. For Jesus’ sake!