BE TRULY SPIRITUAL
GALATIANS 6:1-10 (Read the rest of the chapter as well)
Galatians defines the TRUE GOSPEL. The first 4 chapters talk about doctrine and how to defend the gospel. Then Paul takes his readers through duty — putting faith into practice (chapters 5 and 6). We learned that true freedom is not the ability to do whatever you feel like doing but the ability to do what is right. It is the power given by the “Holy Spirit” to say “no” to sin and “yes” to God—to do what is pleasing to Him. “The Spirit is the empowering presence of God enabling believers to live the life God requires.” (Gordon Fee). What is spirituality? There are many myths of spirituality:
Myth of Activities (Matthew 6:1)
Myth of Zealousness (Romans 10:2)
Myth of Knowledge (1 Corinthians 8:1)
Myth of Position (Luke 11:43)
Myth of Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 13:1-2)
Myth of Sacrifice (1 Corinthians 13:3)
A spiritual person is fully surrendered to Jesus and controlled by the Holy Spirit moment by moment. Christlikeness is the result of true spirituality. Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh and do this moment by moment, surrendering to Christ one step at a time (Galatians 5:16). This result is the fruit of the Spirit, which is Christlikeness (Galatians 5:22-23). Paul addressed three types of people in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3: Christians who are the spiritual men, then men of the flesh and the world (mere, ordinary men without Christ), and then there are believers who are infants in Christ. Jesus C.A.M.E. to make us truly spiritual men and women with these qualities:
COMPASSION FOR OTHERS
The body of Christ that Paul calls “spiritual” has been commanded to “restore” someone caught in any trespass (sin and mistakes) (Galatians 6:1). The word “restore” in the Bible is used in the context of healing broken bones, or fixing nets, or rebuilding walls. When we see others caught in sin, we should not attack and judge them; instead, we must lead them back to the Lord in the spirit of gentleness. We should also be careful, so that we will not fall into temptation as well. When Christians practice this, we “bear each other’s burdens” (v.2), and therefore fulfill the law of Christ. A spiritual person is compassionate towards others. We need each other in the walk of faith. Then we’re reminded that we don’t have merit on our own (v.3). Everything we have is by grace alone!
ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY
True spirituality is being humble enough to accept personal responsibility (Galatians 6:4-5). Paul writes that “each one must examine his own work” – we must check if what we do has eternal value. What are we doing in life that can be considered meaningful? That is our personal responsibility – to use this one short life to make sure we “bear” our own load. God has given us individual assignments that we cannot pass on to others. We have to assume responsibility for our lives and not blame others. We will all give an account of our lives to God someday (Romans 14:12). We are to share all good things that were taught to us – pass it on (Galatians 6:6). Don’t be takers only – share all good things! Paul shared about how he has been an example of this – supporting himself and not asking people for money (Acts 20:33-35). He reminds us of what Jesus has taught – it is more blessed to give than to receive. Paul preached the gospel for free, even if he had the right to receive financial support for it (1 Corinthians 9:18).
MAKE WISE CHOICES
God is not mocked – whatever we sow, we reap as well (Galatians 6:7). The command is “do not deceive” yourself – you cannot make a fool of God. Every choice is a seed, and every seed leads to a harvest. Some harvests are immediate, and some will take time. We are also free to choose, but not free to escape the consequences of choices we make. We clearly see this with Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25:29-32). Esau was famished coming from hunting and asked Jacob to feed him lentil stew. In return, Jacob asked Esau to sell his birthright to him! Esau had a choice: will he sacrifice his birthright to eat instantly? That’s what he did – he gave up his birthright. In Old Testament times, your birthright was very important and included authority and carrying the family heritage, something Esau did not value much. Esau gave up the privilege of being the father of the nation of Israel. Many people today give in to temporal things for immediate pleasure, at the expense of eternal benefits. Don’t sacrifice what is eternal for temporal things trading what is valuable for small and less-valuable things (Hebrews 12:16-17). Choices have consequences – the question is what are we sowing? We can sow in the flesh and reap corruption, or sow in the Spirit which yields eternal life (Galatians 6:8). We are not to “lose heart in doing good” (v.9-10). We must take every opportunity to bless others. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can” (John Wesley).
EXALT JESUS
As you surrender to Jesus, the first three actions will result in exalting Him in your life. Paul ends the letter with practical application: all these things should lead to giving Jesus Christ the glory, and so that no one will boast in the flesh. The Judaizers were motivated by selfish reasons, but Paul speaks of his own motivation: he hopes that he will never boast EXCEPT in the cross of Jesus Christ (v.14-15). People today make fun of the gospel, not understanding what great sacrifice was done by Jesus on the cross, to bring us salvation, and secure for us TRUE SPIRITUAL MATURITY (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). All honor and glory belong to Jesus Christ alone!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
How do you show genuine concern for others?
Is there any recent mistake you have to assume responsibility for? How do you deal with it movingforward?
How do we make wise decisions?
In what ways can we honor Jesus in our day-to-day life this week?
PRAY CARE SHARE IN ACTION
Pray for people outside the church to encounter truly spiritual Christians in their daily interactions. Be truly spiritual by being filled with the Spirit, sharing the gospel with your life and words. Maximize the many open opportunities this Christmas to share about Jesus to people everywhere!