Galatians 6:1-3 (The Message)
Nothing but the Cross 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.
Here is our third "House Rule." Ready? Bear Each Others Burdens (Galatians 6:2). I actually used Verses 1:3. The Message version is really good. Ouch! My toes are hurting...just stepped all over them! If your brother or sister in Christ has fallen into sin, help to restore that person and do it in the love of Jesus. When you do this, do it in meekness and not judging them for falling. You just might need forgiveness too before the day is over!
Sometimes I don't understand people. Why wouldn't you want to help someone out - reach out (look up the meaning of reach - reach out/outreach)? Fulfill the law of Christ. Love one another and help each other out. Back in Paul's day, the "legalists" (ones who used a system of rules and regulations to achieve salvation and spiritual growth), were boastful and it made it a burden on others who were suppose to obey that law and not necessarily the law of Christ. I believe they thought they were doing the Lord's work but were they really? Even as true believers, we can be legalistic. We are told to be kind to one another yet sometimes in the Body of Christ, we can about not allowing another expression of viewpoint that we run them right out of our fellowship. Paul warns us of this legalism in Colossians 2:20-23. These people appear to be righteous and spiritual but they fail. They fail because it is an outward appearance and not a change in their heart. In other words, it's not a heart to heart connection with Christ.
The main thing here is to fulfill the law of Christ (love one another). Do not kick your brother while he is down. Help him get up and while you are honest with him, you also need to remember to do it in love. Jesus is the only one who can bear the burdens of sin because He can remove them and take them away. But we are suppose to bear each others burdens by gently comforting our brothers/sister, praying for God's grace for them. We should also help them to forgive themselves because guilt can come down and destroy them.
Do not take these house rules lightly. They are very important for the Body of Christ! Read them, read the Scriptures that go along with them and get them into your heart. Blessings to you all!!
