Good Morning!
Living in the Spirit is the goal of every growing believer. Ditching the flesh for the Spirit is the call of Galatians chapter five. Go into the New Year with the determination to "walk in the Spirit" and not in the flesh. As a result, your life will be the home of "Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faith, Gentleness, and Self-control...Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have CRUCIFIED THE FLESH WITH ITS PASSIONS AND DESIRES. If we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit!" vv. 22-25.
Here is another goal of every growing believer. Love people enough to exhibit your love through helping them. Galatians chapter six begins with our actions toward other people. First...if you see another believer who is overtaken by sin or is caught doing something wrong...what is your first thought? Maybe you think..."They did it to themselves, let them suffer the consequences." Or..."You made your bed, now lie in it." Or..."That was stupid..." and you ignore them.
Well...God teaches something rather different. "...If someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you won't be tempted also. Carry one another's burdens..." vv. 1-2.
If someone is caught doing wrong...get involved and help them. don't ignore them. Don't make fun of them. Help them! God is in the business of changing people's lives. YOU are in the business of doing God's work. YOU are His hands and His feet. YOU are His voice to people who need God's love. It is up to YOU to lead people to God and see them have a life-changing experience. That...my friend...is carrying the burdens of others.
If you think that you are special and that helping others is beneath you...listen to what God says.
"For is anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing...he is deceiving himself." v. 3
Remember, restore someone with a "Gentle Spirit." Your kindness and gentleness will show evidence of God in your life. Pride is NEVER a trait that honors God. So, your genuineness in helping others lacks any trace of Pride.
So, we go into this New Year with a determination to "Walk in the Spirit" and to extend our lives helping other people by restoring them into a right relationship with God. By the way...let your determination extend throughout the year. Don't just start and then fizzle. Stay with it. Satan will try to blow your candle out and make you exhausted. Verse 9 says, "We must NOT get tired of doing good..."
Grow a spine and stay with it. Let God's call in your life continue through the year. If you get a little weary...talk to a friend who will encourage you and pray with you and help you restore your determination to do what is good. We ALL need a little encouragement on occasion. It's essential and it's common. A critical spirit breeds a critical life. An encouraging spirit breeds a life that is determined to be encouraged and succeed.
May God Bless You!
Don Betts
DBEA/campus320
DBEAWINNING.COM
TO GOD BE ALL GLORY!