Chapter 6:1-18 How to restore someone from sin
6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
There is in the original Greek an element of being caught out by surprise! However we know from other scriptures that we do not fall into sin in some way without giving our consent. It is a hallmark of our love that we can restore a brother or sister. If it, was you, how would you like to be dealt with? Restoring a brother or sister is like setting a bone back into place so that the body is fully functioning again. But we are warned to be careful unless we fall into the same as the person who has sinned.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Let us be there for each other the stronger giving their strength to the weaker.
Place a steadying hand on your brother arm. That is what love is all about and should be what church is about.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Pride comes before a fall.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
If you must compare yourself to another then compare yourself with Jesus Christ. Only when your eyes are on Christ can you see clearly to monitor your own life and walk. All flesh is grass!
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
At the end of the day each one of us are accountable to the Lord and to him alone. We will stand in a moral and spiritual sense naked before him, so now is the time to get our lives sorted out before judgement day.
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Anyone receiving instruction in the Word of God must share all good things with their teacher. Our teachers bless us in a very tangible and godly way, and it is right we should bless them in every way. There is a strong hint of finance in this verse.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Do not make excuses!
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.
We need to hang in there in life!
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Let your light shine before men. Remember to bless your Christian family just as much as your natural family. If we give to the poor, then do not forget the poor in the church. Remember the widows and orphans especially those in the church.
11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with my own hand.
The meaning here is a 'grand' letter in the context of he he had personally laboured over this letter. It is nothing to do with bad eyesight!
12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
The Judaizing teachers wanted converts to their own erroneous teaching and gain brownie-points from their friends.
14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
The only thing that delighted Paul was when someone had a revelation of what Jesus Christ did at the cross. Paul was dead to the world, including all its so-called pleasures, honours, and temptations and like the world had nothing in common with Paul.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availed anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
It is the new birth that is the important thing. A new heart and a new mind and having been given a new life for the old sinful one.
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
The new birth is the model or pattern to follow. This includes all the spiritual children of Abraham (Jew or Gentile) through faith in Jesus Christ.
17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Literally stigmata! Paul's suffering and injuries on his body were proof that he was in the master’s service.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Note Paul calls them brothers!
Amen
Your Prayer
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