Corona Devo 1369
Grades have always been pretty important to me. For instance, I am still holding onto a grudge from a "B" (my only one) that I received in college during a semester Tennis course (required PE credit). I still think I should have had an "A", but the time has run out to contest it, and more importantly, it's probably time for me to let it go.
Oops, I digress, but all that to say that it's always been important to me to prepare, study, and do well in classes, on tests, and ...in life.
But I was very disappointed (in myself!) to realize (during Bible reading today) that I am flunking some major areas in Faith.
Let's see how you do:
1. If another believer is overcome by some sin, we should:
A. Shun them ("step back" from calling/texting/engaging) until they are reformed.
B. Talk/gossip to others about their fall because, "I just thought you would want to know...."
C. Gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.
The answer (God's answer) is "C", and can be found in Galatians 6:1
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.
But--how many of us are flunking in this area?
Oh, we know when someone has fallen into sin. That news spreads like wildfire, especially (unfortunately) in a church family. But what is our response?
A feeling of superiority? Condescension? Judgment? Pity?
How gently do we respond to another believer who's been overcome by some sin?
How humbly do we respond to another believer who's been overcome by some sin?
Ouch.
There's a reason God has these verse in front of our face and heart today.
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Okay--ready for Question #2?
True or False: Helping someone to step out of sin exempts us from falling-prey to that sin?
If this question were true, and each of us were so rock-solid in our faith and convictions that falling into the same temptation as another believer was a non-issue, then God wouldn't warn us.
But our good (and all-knowing) God does warn us:
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. ~Galatians 6:1
Even when we are doing what God calls us to do in helping others, we must always be careful to keep our spiritual guard up. Sin lurks. (If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it. ~Genesis 4:7).
~~~
How are we doing on today's test so far?
~~~
Question #3 should be easy...but it's not.
Yes or No: Are we too important to help someone?
Easy, right?
Then why don't we help more believers who have been overcome by some sin?
God gets right into our business and our pride with this one. We wish He didn't know us so well...but He does.
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. ~Galatians 6:2-3
Right here in the Bible...opened up to this page and verse (Galatians 6:3)...just for us, today: The Lord says, "Sarah" or (insert your name here): If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
No, we're not so important that we can't help another brother or sister out.
So why don't we open our eyes and hearts to the people and their needs around us.
It's humbling to be a believer overcome by some sin. It's embarrassing to be a believer overcome by some sin. It can be humiliating, depressing and overwhelming to be a believer overcome by some sin.
We are not too important to help.
Are we passing the test in helping another believer get back onto the right path today?
Only we know that answer.
~~~
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. ~Galatians 6:2-3
Good news--this test isn't over.
If we are breathing right now, then time has not run out. We have extended time to work on these questions. And good news...now we know the Biblical answers.
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