Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
A Humble Life with Christian Principles
JESUS CHRIST WHO RESTORES
Galatians 6:1-5
Paul reminds the Galatians of a few important life principles. Our life in the community should be a model one and appropriate to the lifestyle of Jesus. In Galatians 6:1-5 Paul shares three exhortations for a humble life with Christian principles.
Galatians 6:1-5
Paul reminds the Galatians of a few important life principles. Our life in the community should be a model one and appropriate to the lifestyle of Jesus. In Galatians 6:1-5 Paul shares three exhortations for a humble life with Christian principles.
A Gentle Life
One of the qualities of Jesus mentioned in the epistle to the Hebrews is “dealing gently” with the ignorant and going astray (Hebrews 5:2). In Luke 17:3-5 Jesus says we must learn to forgive and show patience to the errors of others. Paul says the same here. We should not be hard and judgmental on others, but rather be sympathetic and kind to others (v.1). Human fallibility is a reality. There is an element of hardness in most good people. They usually share sharp criticism with others. Let’s try to avoid it and follow the model of Jesus. Paul says that, if a man does make a slip, the real Christian duty is to get him on his feet again.
An Examined Life
We are to compare our achievement with ours only, not with the work of our neighbors (v.4). Compare my yesterday to my present; am I better in Christ? Am I leading a good life? A true evaluation of ourselves is essential. Let’s remember the words of Socrates, “an unexamined life is not worth living.” When we do that, there can never be any cause for conceit. We should not think more than we ought to. The person who corrects another must scrutinize his/her motivations. “Do not judge…first take the log out of your own eye…” (Matthew 7:1-5)
A Responsible Life
Twice in this passage, Paul speaks about bearing burdens. Bear one another’s burdens in v.2 denotes sharing the pain and sorrow of others. Be with others in their painful situations through our presence and prayers and show solidarity with the broken-hearted. But there is also another burden, that every person must bear himself/herself (v.5). There are God-given responsibilities and life tasks given in our lives. Nobody can do that for us, and we must be personally responsible for discharging these responsibilities (v.5).
One of the qualities of Jesus mentioned in the epistle to the Hebrews is “dealing gently” with the ignorant and going astray (Hebrews 5:2). In Luke 17:3-5 Jesus says we must learn to forgive and show patience to the errors of others. Paul says the same here. We should not be hard and judgmental on others, but rather be sympathetic and kind to others (v.1). Human fallibility is a reality. There is an element of hardness in most good people. They usually share sharp criticism with others. Let’s try to avoid it and follow the model of Jesus. Paul says that, if a man does make a slip, the real Christian duty is to get him on his feet again.
An Examined Life
We are to compare our achievement with ours only, not with the work of our neighbors (v.4). Compare my yesterday to my present; am I better in Christ? Am I leading a good life? A true evaluation of ourselves is essential. Let’s remember the words of Socrates, “an unexamined life is not worth living.” When we do that, there can never be any cause for conceit. We should not think more than we ought to. The person who corrects another must scrutinize his/her motivations. “Do not judge…first take the log out of your own eye…” (Matthew 7:1-5)
A Responsible Life
Twice in this passage, Paul speaks about bearing burdens. Bear one another’s burdens in v.2 denotes sharing the pain and sorrow of others. Be with others in their painful situations through our presence and prayers and show solidarity with the broken-hearted. But there is also another burden, that every person must bear himself/herself (v.5). There are God-given responsibilities and life tasks given in our lives. Nobody can do that for us, and we must be personally responsible for discharging these responsibilities (v.5).
Prayer
Lord, help me to lead a gentle, examined, and responsible life anchored on Jesus’ principles, Amen.
Mrs. Liba Varghese (w/o Rev. Sam Philip, Mar Thoma Seminary Kottayam)
Lord, help me to lead a gentle, examined, and responsible life anchored on Jesus’ principles, Amen.
Mrs. Liba Varghese (w/o Rev. Sam Philip, Mar Thoma Seminary Kottayam)