April 18, 2013
If we know of someone who is doing something wrong, we are to go to them and gently help them to do right again. Gently. Not in an attitude of "look at me... see what I am doing?" If you go in that kind of attitude you are at risk for being brought down in the same way. We are not to stand by and watch others fall. It brings honor to Christ to gently bring others back to obedience. You have to do your part. They may listen, or they may not. (See Ezekiel 2)
Our responsibility isn't to obtain the end result, it is to try. This is why I am so grateful my journals (from Genesis to II Chronicles 11) went to my sister and brother-in-law, even though it seemed like a disastrous invasion of my privacy at the time. There was no other way for them to see my heart and for me to have a voice. Yes, they chose to twist my words and make more false accusations, but God's words went out to them. It wasn't "my" words, it was God's.
Paul began to conclude his letter. Galatians 6:7–8 - "Do not be fooled: You cannot cheat God. People harvest only what they plant. If they plant to satisfy their sinful selves, their sinful selves will bring them ruin." What part of that very clear statement do people not understand? Insist on your own selfish sinful ways and you reap the results—ruin. But, if you plant to please the Spirit you receive eternal life from the Spirit. So, do not become tired of doing good. Galatians 6:9 - "We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time IF we do not give up." Paul goes on to say that if we have the opportunity to help anyone we should, especially those in the family of believers. God has a plan, and it will be done.
Interesting side note at the end of Paul's letter. Paul said that those who were trying to add things to the Gospel of Christ (in this case circumcision) weren't trying to convince others it should be done because it was the right thing, or because it was something they believed in and obeyed themselves. They did it so "they can brag about what they forced you to do." (Galatians 6:13) The same motive as today. The Bible isn't some antiquated and outdated non-relevant book. The sins in the Bible are the exact same sins of today. The Gospel of the Bible is still the only way to Christ. The Bible truly is—the Living Word.
My sister and brother-in-law are hoping to brag about what their lawsuit "forced" us to do by trying to enforce their fraudulent schemes. BUT! you harvest what you plant. You cannot explain it any other way. And Paul says it brings ruin.
LORD, our prayer for them remains the same. May they understand that without you they are nothing; and may they desire nothing but you.
Addendum: 5/3/16 ~ From the Life Lesson for this section:
Next Entry: Ephesians 1:1–23
If we know of someone who is doing something wrong, we are to go to them and gently help them to do right again. Gently. Not in an attitude of "look at me... see what I am doing?" If you go in that kind of attitude you are at risk for being brought down in the same way. We are not to stand by and watch others fall. It brings honor to Christ to gently bring others back to obedience. You have to do your part. They may listen, or they may not. (See Ezekiel 2)
Our responsibility isn't to obtain the end result, it is to try. This is why I am so grateful my journals (from Genesis to II Chronicles 11) went to my sister and brother-in-law, even though it seemed like a disastrous invasion of my privacy at the time. There was no other way for them to see my heart and for me to have a voice. Yes, they chose to twist my words and make more false accusations, but God's words went out to them. It wasn't "my" words, it was God's.
"If anyone thinks he is important when he really is not, he is only fooling himself. Each person should judge his own actions and not compare himself to others. Then he can be proud for what he himself as done. Each person must be responsible for himself." Galatians 6:3–5IF—you are learning and growing, THEN—you must share that with others. It is impossible to keep it quiet.
Paul began to conclude his letter. Galatians 6:7–8 - "Do not be fooled: You cannot cheat God. People harvest only what they plant. If they plant to satisfy their sinful selves, their sinful selves will bring them ruin." What part of that very clear statement do people not understand? Insist on your own selfish sinful ways and you reap the results—ruin. But, if you plant to please the Spirit you receive eternal life from the Spirit. So, do not become tired of doing good. Galatians 6:9 - "We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time IF we do not give up." Paul goes on to say that if we have the opportunity to help anyone we should, especially those in the family of believers. God has a plan, and it will be done.
Interesting side note at the end of Paul's letter. Paul said that those who were trying to add things to the Gospel of Christ (in this case circumcision) weren't trying to convince others it should be done because it was the right thing, or because it was something they believed in and obeyed themselves. They did it so "they can brag about what they forced you to do." (Galatians 6:13) The same motive as today. The Bible isn't some antiquated and outdated non-relevant book. The sins in the Bible are the exact same sins of today. The Gospel of the Bible is still the only way to Christ. The Bible truly is—the Living Word.
My sister and brother-in-law are hoping to brag about what their lawsuit "forced" us to do by trying to enforce their fraudulent schemes. BUT! you harvest what you plant. You cannot explain it any other way. And Paul says it brings ruin.
LORD, our prayer for them remains the same. May they understand that without you they are nothing; and may they desire nothing but you.
Addendum: 5/3/16 ~ From the Life Lesson for this section:
"The Bible reveals that God has a plan for every life, and that if we live in constant fellowship with Him, He will direct and lead us in the fulfillment of this plan.
Many of us have God's second or third best. However, if you have substituted the good for the best, do not despair. Wherever you are at this moment, yield your life unconditionally to God, and He can still make it a thing of beauty and an honor to His name.
You cannot know the will of God for your life unless you first come to the cross and confess that you are a sinner and receive Christ as Lord and Savior. If you want the perfect plan that God has for your life, you will have to go by way of Calvary to get it. It is only through Christ that we can be on speaking terms with God and know God's plan for our lives." ~ From Unto the Hills by Billy Graham
Next Entry: Ephesians 1:1–23
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