Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who
WEEK 45
SEEKING TO BE A BLESSING
GALATIANS 6:1-18
Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load.
The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh
try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.
But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
THANK YOU, LORD, for calling us into Your kingdom and family. Two of our responsibilities as family are to restore with humility
those who have been caught in sin's web, and
to help carry one another's burdens. In such actions, we fulfill the royal law of Christ,
which is distilled in the principle of love.1
We recognize that all the moral duties Your law sets forth
are precisely the same virtues that arise out of authentic love. May we be faithful vessels of the love
Your Spirit sheds abroad in our hearts.2
May we never be guilty of hiding
the light of Your love under a bushel.3
Your Word often reminds us of the inexorable law of sowing and reaping. Whatever we sow we reap, spiritually as well as physically. May we always sow to the Spirit and not to the flesh!
We confess that we cannot do that
without Your gracious enablement, and so we seek the aid of Your Spirit.
You have also taught us that the one who sows sparingly
will reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully
will reap bountifully.4
May we always be liberal and open-handed
in the sowing of good things. We're reminded especially of our duty to share in all good things
with those who have taught us the Word. Fill us with gratitude and with generosity;
then open our hearts to be channels of blessing, especially to those who have so wonderfully blessed us.
Help us to be both wise and aggressive in taking advantage
of the opportunities we have to do good to all, especially our own dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Harness our gifts and abilities—
along with all our human faculties— and employ them for Your glory. Empower us to work harder, serve more faithfully,
labor more diligently, and still press on— even when the trials and distractions of this life
seem to offer compelling motives
to turn away from the needs of others. Energize us by Your Spirit and keep us faithful to our calling.
You know, dear Lord, that our lives here on earth
are full of burdens, heartaches, and disappointments. You permit those things to use them for our benefit. May we bear them with grace and courage. We thank You for the grace that sustains us
in the midst of all our troubles. We pray that through the trials You send our way
You will keep our hearts filled
with that peace which surpasses all comprehension and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.5
Thank You that when we falter or fail,
You always restore us. You give us grace upon grace without measure. You abundantly supply every need we have.
But we confess, Lord, that one of our greatest needs is for holiness. We are prone to sin, predisposed to folly,
given to stubbornness, and easily confounded
by our own self-will. Guide, guard, and sustain us to keep our feet from slipping,
and keep us ever mindful of—and firmly anchored to— the solid foundation You have given us in Christ.
Give us a greater love for Him,
so that all our service flows from hearts of gladness. Give us a holy longing to be free from sin
in both mind and action. Whether Your plan for our immediate future entails
prosperity or adversity, blessing or suffering, joy or sorrow— or a loving mixture of all those things— prepare us to respond with uprightness of heart
and Christlike holiness. Your grace is sufficient for all these things,
and Your truth strengthens us for all things.
We bow our hearts to worship You
in Your Son's blessed name. Amen.
1. James 2:8 2. Romans 5:5 3. Matthew 5:15 4. 2 Corinthians 9:6
5. Philippians 4:6-7