“As ye Sow”...the Wayfarer 8/22/13

“As ye Sow”
8/22/13



"Be not deceived, GOD is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

(GALATIANS 6:7)

Today, we go to the writings of Paul to the Galatians, as he attempts, yet again, to give guidance to a church beset with the teachings of those who would embellish the teachings of Christ, and would force the inclusion of Jewish law above the teachings of Christ which is the new law!

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”

(Galatians 6:1-3)

Paul tells us to have care and concern for any who has “backslidden”, or who has in some way been found to have fault in the eyes of the brethren.

We are to restore one such as this, through the spirit of meekness, not the spirit of self-righteousness. This means that we need to calmly and quietly try to bring to light to that individual any perceived faults, so that he may make any required corrections.

Paul tells us that we are to consider ourselves while making these corrections, and the fact that we too are not perfect, but subject to those selfsame temptations.

We are to bear one another’s burdens, if we are to fulfill the law of Christ, which goes back to the one commandment to love one another left us by Him.

Bearing those burdens must be done in that love, not in anger, vengeance, or in the gossip that is more readily found among those sitting in the pews at far too many churches both then and now.

That third verse is a reminder that we are not to think ourselves as above, or more righteous than anyone else, because, when we begin to think that way we fail to be who we say we are, and become instead the antithesis of what is required of us.

“But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

For every man shall bear his own burden.

Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto 
him that teacheth in all good things.

Be not deceived,: God is not mocked: for whatsoever  a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

(Galatians 6:4-8)

Each one of us is given a conscience, and knowledge of good and evil. Each one of us must on a daily basis make our own decisions in how we approach each facet of our lives. This includes our speech, our thoughts and actions and interactions with those we come into contact with.

It is the responsibility of each of us to do these things in accordance to the law of Christ, no matter the situation faced, no matter the temptation that besets us, no matter the reactions of others to our approach if done within that law of love given by Jesus.

We cannot live the lives of others for them, (though I often wish that were possible), in order to alleviate some of the pain caused by actions taken by those we love. Each of us must find our own way through the world; our own children included; make our own mistakes along the way; and find our way on the path that is so treacherous if we wander, that it takes loving guidance to find our way back to the path intended for us.

We are to, “communicate”.  This means that we must show others through the word and through the spirit the means of finding that right path, despite any around us who detract from that communication. The ones teaching all good things must also remain within the confines of the word, and within the confines of that same law and love given by Jesus!

God will never be mocked! The true spirit of all will and must be judged, BY HIM, not by man, and it is that true spirit that will in turn be given the reward or condemnation, OF HIM, not of man, that each must face!

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

(Galatians 6:9 & 10)

If we are to show the love demanded of us by the law given us by Christ, we must endeavor to share that love, first with those of faith, but not only with those of faith alone. Note Paul said,

”All Men.”

“Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

As many as desire to make fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirit. Amen”

(Galatians 6:11-18)

The Church that Paul addressed had fallen victim to the teachers who thought that works alone was the way to salvation. They insisted on formality and ceremony as demanded by Jewish law.

The also demanded that others follow that formality and ceremony, teaching that those who failed to do so would not be acceptable to God.

Paul’s response was vehement in its negation of these teachings!

He said that those who insisted on such things were making a show of faith, not actually practicing a true faith! He exposed them for what they were, charlatans, just like the scribes, lawyers and Pharisees who insisted that there was something altogether different than what Jesus taught  that had to be followed to find righteousness, while proclaiming their own righteousness above the very laws they were supposed to be teaching!

He went on to say that this was done to make themselves larger in their own eyes because others did not prescribe to those old formalities and laws that Christ negated through the cross!

He reminded them that not even those who insisted on circumcision followed the letter of the old law, and that that circumcision meant nothing in regard to the required law of repentance, nor did not being circumcised have anything to do with, or provide anything to be gained by those who did honor and comprehend and follow the new law given by Jesus!

He said that those practitioners only gloried in themselves and their practices and by so doing denied the very sacrifice made by Jesus in which we should take glory, and that the world, and those formalities were crucified to him, as was he to them, as he must be to glorify Christ alone!

He said that he took no glory in the failures of others to live up to the standards placed on them by men, but instead gloried in the blood sacrifice of the cross which is the only means of salvation available to any!

He concludes stating that he is finished with those who would deny his teachings, that he is satisfied completely with the blood sacrifice and that the marks borne by Christ were also on his own body. He had already suffered through many persecutions, and though he knew there would be more, he had the grace sufficient to keep his faith and only wanted them to have the same.

If we are to apply these teachings to our churches today, the first thing we need to do is to get rid of the teachings of men who deny that there is any way to the cross but their own, any way to heaven but their own, any denomination or division that will meet the requirements of God to enter the Kingdom but their own, and turn instead to the only requirement given by Jesus himself:

“Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”

Once that requirement is met, then we are subject to that commandment of love, in the understanding that works won’t get us into the kingdom, that faith in our Lord and His intercession and His blood sacrifice is all that will ever be sufficient to do that, but at the same time bearing in mind that faith without works is dead and that we must follow that commandment given us to love one another as well!

I close for now, once again, with love for all, and as always, the same simple sinner saved by grace through faith in my Lord, in expectation of the resurrection; still a lowly unworthy soldier in His service awaiting the worthiness he may deem for me.

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen.
the Wayfarer