Verse of the Day 4/17

Through the Bible - 1 Samuel 22-23, Luke 17:1-19

 

Good morning,

In yesterday's devotional I left out a little word, "not".  What I meant to say is that you are probably not a murderer.  But the realization from that devotional should be that most, if not all of us, will have to admit to having used the words moron, idiot, or fool to describe someone.  A friend made me aware of the mistake in a kind way, not by calling me an idiot or moron.

 

However, when you see someone doing a "foolish" thing it is not wrong to offer correction, the important point or question is, just how do we go about doing it?

 

If you've ever suffered a broken arm or separated shoulder (as I have) you know that the arm or shoulder has to be set back in place.  It is something that needs to be done but normally a pain killer, an anesthetic would be used.  In "setting the record straight" it should be done in a kind way.

 

For today's verse we'll go to Galations chapter 6.

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.    NKJV
or consider the "modern day" paraphrase from the Message

Gal 6:1-3   Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.

 

The Message captures the heart of the matter, encouraging us to "live creatively", which includes seeking restoration and keeping critical comments to ourselves.

 

Theologians through the ages have had several things to say regarding these verses.  Consider these verses and their words as you go about your day today.

 

The church father, Jerome wrote, "The Spirit-led person should correct a sinner gently and meekly.  He must not be inflexible, angry or aggrieved in his desire to correct him.  He should "stir him up" with the promise of salvation, promissing remission and bringing forth the testimony of Christ."  He also said that we should "help the other with the same compassion that one would hope to receive from another."

 

Augustine said "there is no surer test of the spiritual person than his treatment of another's sin".

 

John Calvin wrote, "Whenever we have occasion to pronounce censure, let us begin with ourselves,and, remembering our weakness, let us be indulgent to others."

 

Martin Luther wrote, "Christians must have strong shoulders and mighty bones, that we may bear.... the weakness of their brethren."

 

As you consider these verses and statements, notice that they follow immediately after Paul's description of the "fruit of the Spirit", and remember that when these verses were written, there were no chapters, there was no break.

 

In Christ,

Mike

 

Gal 5:22-6:6

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Bear and Share the Burdens

6 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.

NKJV