Galatians 6 contains Paul’s closing comments to the Galatians. This is one of the few places that Paul himself writes the letter to the recipients. Normally Paul used a scribe. Some think that Paul must have had some kind of eye problem. In verse 11 he says, “See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.” In 4:13-15 he says, “You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What then has become of the blessing you felt? For I testify to you that, if possible you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.” Those verses along with Acts 23:3 when Paul denounced the Chief Priest without recognizing him are taken together as evidence that Paul had some kind of ophthalmological issue.
Whether Paul could see the world around him or not is not what is most important, though. Something he clearly saw was the need of God’s people to bear one another’s burdens. The most important of these burdens is where he begins chapter 6: “Brothers (and sisters), if anyone is caught in any transgression (aka sin), you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.”
When we know someone is in sin, we should speak to them. We should make that sin known to them so they can turn away from it and live in Christ. That is the loving thing to do.
That’s some very sensitive work though, so God teaches us through Paul to restore people in a “spirit of gentleness.” It can also be translated, “a spirit of humility.” Gentleness and humility are extremely important in our relationship with others. Our world puts a premium on power and control. We demand and expect, and when we don’t get what we want we make sure the person knows all about it. We tend to be the centers of our own little universes. Yet when Jesus – the one who is the center of the universe – entered our world He came in humility. He lived in gentleness, healing the sick and calling people to repentance. In the end of His time on earth, He humbly gave up His life for our sake in order to redeem us. Having experienced Jesus’ humility, gentleness and forgiveness to restore us, we are moved to restore others in all gentleness and humility.
This is, after all, what we are praying for when we pray, “. . . and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. . . .” As Luther says, “We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look at our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. We are neither worthy of the things for which we pray, nor have we deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace, for we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment. So we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.”
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, . . . .” and as we live with one another in humility and gentleness, may, “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,” be with our spirits.
Father in Heaven, thank you for dealing with us through Jesus in all humility and gentleness. I have not always treated my fellow man with that same kindness. Help me to know the depth of my sin, so that I may perceive the immensity of Your salvation, marvel at it and be changed. Then help me in humility and gentleness to share that salvation with others. Amen.
Whether Paul could see the world around him or not is not what is most important, though. Something he clearly saw was the need of God’s people to bear one another’s burdens. The most important of these burdens is where he begins chapter 6: “Brothers (and sisters), if anyone is caught in any transgression (aka sin), you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.”
When we know someone is in sin, we should speak to them. We should make that sin known to them so they can turn away from it and live in Christ. That is the loving thing to do.
That’s some very sensitive work though, so God teaches us through Paul to restore people in a “spirit of gentleness.” It can also be translated, “a spirit of humility.” Gentleness and humility are extremely important in our relationship with others. Our world puts a premium on power and control. We demand and expect, and when we don’t get what we want we make sure the person knows all about it. We tend to be the centers of our own little universes. Yet when Jesus – the one who is the center of the universe – entered our world He came in humility. He lived in gentleness, healing the sick and calling people to repentance. In the end of His time on earth, He humbly gave up His life for our sake in order to redeem us. Having experienced Jesus’ humility, gentleness and forgiveness to restore us, we are moved to restore others in all gentleness and humility.
This is, after all, what we are praying for when we pray, “. . . and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. . . .” As Luther says, “We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look at our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. We are neither worthy of the things for which we pray, nor have we deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace, for we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment. So we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.”
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, . . . .” and as we live with one another in humility and gentleness, may, “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,” be with our spirits.
Father in Heaven, thank you for dealing with us through Jesus in all humility and gentleness. I have not always treated my fellow man with that same kindness. Help me to know the depth of my sin, so that I may perceive the immensity of Your salvation, marvel at it and be changed. Then help me in humility and gentleness to share that salvation with others. Amen.
Comments