Galatians 6 July 11, 2013

So, we recapped on chapter 5, which was basically to love your neighbor as yourself, the fruit of the spirit, then moved on to chapter 6. I must say, there were a few verses in chapter 6 that threw me for a loop. I almost understood it, but thought I would still put the proverbial checkmark by it, just the same.

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 fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

I understood the first few verses--don't go pointing fingers at a brother or sister who is struggling with a sin. Pull them off to the side, and see if there's anything you can do to help them escape that entanglement. Don't embarrass them. Carry each other's burdens. That's plain and simple... that's the "love in action" thing. Verse 3? Don't be so arrogant. Don't be 'holier-than-thou'. Verses 4, 5 and 6? Not quite so sure. Although I understand that we're not to compare our actions against someone else's actions, and we're to make sure we're "doing right"... is that pretty much a check list?? Do I really want a check list? Then the Christian walk becomes a "to do" list, instead of just living. 

• Did I read my Bible today? ✓
• Did I say my morning prayer? ✓
• Was I nice to my family? ✓

Well, you get the point. I don't want my life to be a check list, because then it becomes about me, instead of about God. 

I'm not sure what we're supposed to share with the instructor either. (verse 6). Just our thoughts to let the instructor know we've learned something? I'm not sure. 

If you have any idea, would you share it in the comment section? 

Thanks bunches!

Galatians 5 June 30, 2013

So, this evening reference was Galatians 5. of course, the immediate reference of Galatians 5:22 came to mind. You know the one. The one that speaks of the fruit of the spirit? I suspect most every faithful church goer has memorized it.

"The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, against such there is no law."

Did I get it right? 

But, the topic of our Bible study wasn't neccesarily the fruit of the spirit. I don't know that I've ever read that chapter in context since understanding the New Coveannt, or if I had, it's been a while. 

So, Paul is fussing at the Galatians for comingling law and grace. He reminded them that circumcision was NOT what he was preaching. Had he been preaching that, he admitted that he probably wouldn't be persecuted so much. He reminded them that they were not under law, but under grace. Re-reading it, it seemed like Paul was pitching a fit to get the Galatians back on the track of Grace. 

This got me to thinking, God used some chatters and the ministry of People to People Ministries (now called Basic Gospel) to teach me His New Covenant. The Galatians had Paul to teach them. So, who was teaching the New Covenant from the time of Paul's death to the time I heard about it in 1999? This particular ministry has been around since about 1985, so why didn't I hear about it? Going to church pretty much all of my life, why didn't I ever read it? I had several Bibles to read, and even did lots of personal studies. Why didn't I get it? Several preachers that I listened to, from evangelical to pentecostal, cautioned listeners to not take their word for the meaning of the Bible, but to ask God to reveal it. Odd. Did I not do that? One preacher preached with gusto the "once saved, always saved" theology, the other preached, "backslide into hell" theology. They couldn't both be right. But with my limited knowledge, it seemed to me that they both had valid points. 

I wonder if God keeps the Gospel hidden until such time as we're ready to hear/receive it? I KNOW I've read the New Testament (and Old Testament for that matter) many many times in the past. How'd I miss the New Covenant? G reminded us that when the Law of Moses was read, there was a veil over our hearts. The purpose of the Law was to lead us to Jesus...lead us to the end of ourselves. I mean, it's not like the words were rearranged all of a sudden.  We had them there the whole time. I'm thinking our prideful hearts just can't accept the fact that Law + Grace just flat isn't where it's at.  So, it's true, until Jesus removes the veil, we won't understand the New Covenant.

I guess this just goes to prove that verse that says the thing of the Spirit makes no sense to the things of the flesh.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter.