Preamble
There has been recent
evidence of great teamwork here. One example has been Easter Sunday services in
the park … with all the set-up and pack-up, as well as what has happened on the
stage (in its preparation). A coalition of prayer-warriors, venue-bookers, song
selectors, chair-movers, leaf-blowers, communion juice-pourers,
coffee-monitors, song-sheet distributors (Blake, Cade & Seth), musicians,
sound & recording technician, puppeteer, reader, speakers, communion
stewards, welcomers, encouragers, and offering-counters.
Other examples have been: the
Community breakfast with the local football/netball club … everyone pulling
together to ensure a well-received event; getting around people who have been
bereaved; home groups delving deep into God … in prayer for one of their number
enduring a particular trial. Working together in harmony for the common good is
what the church should be known for. They will know we follow Jesus by our
love. Yet, we can always be built into a stronger team, just like what Paul was
trying to achieve in Galatia.
Introduction
After Paul lists out the
“fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23), he concludes this letter with some
practical applications of such fruit. What will this “fruit” look like in
action? If we have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, then this will be evident within our
interpersonal relationships! The “fruit of the Spirit” is demonstrated in
concrete situations, as well as in how we go about living. And, as Paul is
writing to church communities across Galatia, this all specifically applies
most particularly to life in the church (but of course doesn’t only apply
there).
Of course, life in the church
is a great training ground for the sort of moral and ethical behaviour, that we
need to take out into the world. In other words, if we can’t put the teaching
of Jesus into action within the church, there is little hope that we can do so
with integrity in the world. But, having said that, maybe this is NOT true of
everyone. Some people have been so disillusioned in the church, maybe hurt by
someone, that they seem to fit more comfortably in the broader community. But
that state of affairs itself … would surely bring a critique to the church that
we need to address. How can we be a better team?
Galatians Passage
Paul states here some great
ideals, and this activity is surely achievable … when you factor in the
presence of the Holy Spirit available amongst any Christian community. The
overriding dynamics here … are … oneness, unity, mutual submission, acceptance,
interdependence, teamwork, serving one another, and sharing the load. This is
how you properly live in community. Later Paul came up with the concept of
integrated body ministry, and shared that in his first letter to the
Corinthians chapter 12.
But here, in the earlier
letter to the Galatians, we see this same principle described in a different
way (refer verses 3 & 4). If we ever have an overly important view
of ourselves, such that we get disconnected from others, we have a deficient
view of things. On the other hand, if we ever think we having nothing to offer,
this is also wrong. We shouldn’t compare ourselves with anybody else, either
feeling superior or inferior, because we are each unique – with a unique role
to play … that no other person can play!
Our gifting and our role is
decided by God, and we should simply bring these into the mix (where God’s Holy
Spirit makes it all work together for the good). 1 Corinthians 12:7 reads, “To
each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (NRSV). Or,
The Message version reads, “Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits”. 1 Peter
4:10 reads, “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another
with whatever gift each of you has received” (NRSV). Or, The Message version
reads, “Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around
so all get in on it”.
There has been such an
emphasis on personal salvation in the last century, that often the proper
functioning of the people of God TOGETHER, has been almost forgotten –
sometimes our default mindset too quickly says, ‘what can I get out of this’. Any
experience of salvation, through the cross and Jesus’ resurrection … if it is
real … must lead to discipleship, which centres around functioning redemptively
amongst God’s people. Then, ‘on that day’, Jesus will say, “I know you”
(Matthew 7:21-23)!
Let us not receive
grace too comfortably, nor treat it too cheaply. In verses 7 & 8,
we see a comparison between those who suit themselves, as against those who
take on board the leading of the Spirit in their “sowing”. You see there, that
the results are dramatically different! On one side, reaping “corruption from
the flesh” (maybe, ‘the worst of worldly outcomes’), as against this glorious
prospect … “reaping eternal life from the Spirit”.
Galatians chapter 6 shows how
people in God’s church should be able to rely on one another, and also make a
worthy contribution to one another. No one is just a receiver, or just a giver,
we are a mutual bunch of givers and receivers – strengths being applied to
weakness, and weaknesses being opened to strengths … while all of us walk in
the Spirit of Jesus. If we have difficulties with anyone in the church
community, then this would be a good kick-off point for an expression of love
(C Osiek).
Community Ideals
In verse 1, we see
that we should be gently restoring one another when we notice someone
struggling or falling. They could be under continual temptation or falling
into a bad sin habit. This is NOT a matter of criticism or judgment, but rather
gentle, humble and loving restoration (pastoral care). At the same time, this
is often NOT about ‘easy answers’ that just ENABLE someone to stay as they are
(and not face up to the decisions they need to make). The verb used here
(translated “restore”) is a medical term used in secular Greek for … ‘setting a
fractured bone’. This is about repairing what is broken.
This is all an aid to
ultimate healing. This is a ministry that should NOT be neglected, and may
indeed save many from a descent from faith. Yet, as this is often a very
difficult thing to do, and discern correctly, AND there is the possibility of
getting caught up in some tricky areas – it is at times advisable to bring in
mature experienced counsel. But all of us have the role and responsibility of
looking out for one another, and detecting possible problem areas. We need to,
of course, be careful about our agendas, and pure in our motives. We should
also notice the log in our own eye, before the splinter in others!
In verse 2, there is
the need to enter into the burdens that others carry and help them bear them.
[Greek dramatist Menander wrote (300 years prior to Paul), “Accept all burdens
among friends as common”.] When the burdens of life become simply unbearable
for any member of a community, others can lighten their load by sharing those
burdens, and thus enabling them to still stand.
This is how we fulfil the
“law of Christ” – which seems to refer to the second part of the ‘great
commandment’ … “love your neighbour”, and how Jesus lived this out himself so
selflessly (leading ultimately to a remarkable act of self-giving). Paul sees
the ‘cross’ … as the ultimate act of burden-bearing … to be emulated by
Christ’s followers.
At first glance, people may
see a contradiction between “bearing one another’s burdens” (v.2), and “each
one carrying their own loads” (v.5). But what Paul means to say here (in verse
5), is that each of us has a load (or a ministry) to fulfil on behalf of
others, which cannot be ignored. We can’t leave it to someone else, if it’s
ours to do. Our “load” is actually … sharing the burdens of
others.
When we get down to verse
9, Paul is well into thoughts around sowing and harvesting. We are
challenged NOT to give up or get slack, even when we become weary (or begin
to despair). Therefore, we are to persist even when results seem slim, or
the “harvest” is delayed. We are also to persist if things get difficult, or
there seems to be opposition coming at us. This verse seems to assure a
“harvest” [eventually, in God’s good time] if we stay on track with God’s
Spirit. The “harvest” will come in good time – but the time to “sow” is now! And
the way to “sow” well … is together {“us, we, we”}!!
So we don’t give up;
and we also don’t hold back, simply because others hold back. We don’t allow
important things to remain undone. But at the same time, through either
impatience or ego, we don’t too quickly jump into spots that are really for
others, and thereby discourage their involvement. We look for how others may
want, and need, to contribute; and encourage that, and mentor that. We will
grow our ‘body ministry’, if we are always looking for appropriate others to
share ministry activities with.
How then, do we survive the
weight of this?? In worship of the God who works within us through the Holy
Spirit to make us more like Jesus.
Conclusion
Verse 10 provides us with a very clear summary statement. Let
us take up all the opportunities we have, and maybe look for a few more, to
creatively contribute to the common good. First and foremost, Paul has the
church community in view; but there is also a bigger purpose lying behind this.
Never far from view is the wider context of our call into the local community
and beyond. We start by ministering to one another in Jerusalem, so to speak,
as we gather ourselves together. Then, together, we find productive ways of
embracing and engaging with Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth (Acts
1:8).
The watching world observes
how we treat each other, to see if we are worthy enough in character … to be
trusted to serve them!
We need a team view, where we
are thrilled when others excel and grow; and then we can celebrate all the
great outcomes together! We need to share the load of God’s mission –
encouraging, teaching, leading, and allowing each other … to make their various
Spirit-inspired contributions!!
1 Peter 4:11b in The Message
version reads: “That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything
through Jesus, and he’ll get the credit … as the One mighty in everything –
encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!”
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