Galatians 2:10-"remember the poor"
Galatians 3:5-"Does God give you His Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?"
Galatians 3:25-"Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law."
Galatians 4:6-"Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out "Abba, Father."
Galatians 5:1-"Stand firm,...do not let yourselves be burdened..."
Galatians 5:4 Some false brothers trying to teach others that they could only be "justified by the law".
We don't have to keep the law or "be burdened" by it in order to be justified in God's sight. Many religions add a whole bundle of burdens on folks. They expect folks to earn their own salvation. It's scandalous. It's insulting to God to think He can't handle it to get us 'saved', well and truly. Jesus death and resurrection was satisfactory to God. So much so that Jesus could "sit down" at the right hand of God when He ascended back to glory when His work was perfectly completed on earth.
Living by His Spirit teaches us and enables us to be 'free' from the law. Free to...
"Live by the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16)'
Galatians 5:18-"But if you live by the Spirit you are not under law".
Living by His Spirit automatically puts a person on the right track.
Galatians 5:22-"Fruit of the Spirit..."
Galatians 5:14-"The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Galatians 6:1-"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently"
The way you would wish to be treated, treat others; gently and governed by the fruit of the Spirit we have hopefully cultivated to some degree of maturity in Christ. A prayer to pray...
Oh, Father God, help me to be gentle with _______________. Help me to love him/her as I do myself-to treat him/her the way I myself would want to be treated-firmly, lovingly consistent despite slip-ups he/she might make in the process.
Help me to treat one and all, thus!
Thank-You for Your Spirit that enables us to do this and many more things: to do good to all people as You give the opportunities.
I love You Lord, thank-You for first loving me and making me one of Your children.
Amen.
Galatians 6:6-"Anyone who receives instruction in the Word must share [my emphasis] all good things with his instructor."
Who is "his instructor" referring to?
"All good things" -What is meant?
The things learned could be "good things" and good to share. Likely financial support (see Philippians 4:14-19) and hospitality would be "good things" to share with the instructor.
"His instructor" likely is whomever is doing the sharing and teaching of God's Word and discipling others.
I like the Shunammite woman who made a "prophet's chamber" for Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-37). He was free to come and stay in that little nook as long and as often as he passed that way. She did this out of the kindness of her heart without thought of remuneration of any sort. It touched Elisha's heart and he was also "in touch" with the heart of God and asked for a child for the Shunammite and her husband. God granted it. So we never know how far reaching our "sharing of good things" will go but be assured we do that sharing out of a selfless desire and only in the other's best interests. That will truly be doing good things.
Galatians 5:19-"acts of sinful nature" that I may have trouble with at present or have as an unwholesome habit. Is it "fits of rage or malice" towards any specific person? Your child or spouse; co-worker or neighbor? Do you mask them, or, even if they are full blown, they need to be repented of and confessed to God. Ask Him to help you and to help you to pull them up and out and away from the roots. He will forgive and purify (1 John 1:9).
Galatians 5:22-23-"fruit of the Spirit" that we need to choose to counteract those "sinful acts" with. How about "gentleness and self-control"? That is, for example:
"acts of sinful nature" vs "fruit of the Spirit"
and
"fits of rage" vs "gentleness and self-control"
You get the picture. So examine yourselves and determine what your "sinful acts" may be and then peruse the fruit of the spirit to see which one is needed and then exercise that mode of conduct while also seeking God's help. Together, you and God working in tandem, there is hope for the better way, and for "good things" to be done and shared. This is Christian living.
Another prayer...
Oh Lord, You are the Lord and Master of compassion, mercy and kindness. Thank-You for being my Lord and Master and putting Your seal of Your Spirit to indwell me. Bless Your Holy Name.
I need to break down those fits of rage (etc) and their source. You know me and my past and my present and my future. Father, help me to gouge it all out. I crave your peace and patience so that I will deal that way with others especially those You have put close to me (family, friends, neighbors, colleagues) and under my care: my dear little son/daughter (family member, etc). I want to show gentleness and self-control (or mention another fruit of the Spirit) towards him/her and deal kindly and mercifully with him/her. Yes, they are responsible for their actions, reactions and responses as I am. Deal kindly with us all. Thank-You that Jesus showed us the way. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
~ERC 2017~
Originally March 1995, adapted for blog 2017
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