Scripture: Galatians 6.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Galatians 6:1-3 (NLT)

1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

It is so easy to look down our glasses of indignation and put down a weaker brother or sister. It is almost as indignant to see a brother or sister struggling in sin and to sit back and praise God that we are better off than them and really hope that they would receive help soon. The Galatian church was reminded that it was not their responsibility to place that person before the pastor, although that may help, or before the church, although that may be needed at times, but friend we are encouraged to humbly help that person back onto the right path. I believe that when we humbly think of ways to help that person, we tend to pray intently that God would give us direction in how to help them – truly help them and not look for ways to punish them for their wrong doings. The latter part of verse one really brings the point home, because no matter how badly we think a brother may have done, we had best be very careful that we don’t fall into the same temptation ourselves. Had it not been for the grace of God, we could easily have been the one overcome by sin, rather than the one trying to help. It’s not until we share that brother or sister’s burden that we really feel the weight of what they are carrying, and see the need of help that they could badly use. Notice how Paul didn’t say anything about trying to fix their problem for them, let’s leave that to the Master. Share the burden so that you can feel the weight of their pain, then do all you can to help them back on the right path.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, I thank You for Your precious Word. So often I might find it easier to ridicule and put a brother or sister down, rather than stepping alongside them and helping them carry the burden that they bear. You do that for me on a frequent basis, please help me as I strive to be more like You, to learn to humble myself and help a brother, or pray for a sister that may be struggling in sin. Please show me how to help them get back on the right path, without preaching a sermon to them.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
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