Kingdom Building
July 4, 2019
Scripture Reading: Galatians 6:1-17
My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads. –Galatians 6:1-5
The Greek word translated above as transgression is paraptóma which means a falling away, lapse, slip, false step, trespass, sin*. This definition runs the gamut from failing to complete a task someone has committed to do to doing something that potentially separates someone from God. His advice is generic for all instances we are to restore the person in a spirit of gentleness.
Paul addresses a tough issue here. What is our role when we see someone doing something we perceive as a transgression? When a new nursery volunteer fails to show up, we might call them and ask if everything is OK and if they say I just forgot or I overslept, we might say, would you like me to call and remind you? You know a lot of young parents are depending on us to care for their children so they can worship.
My understanding of the scriptures is that Jesus ultimately is the only one who can judge sin, what separates us from God when we are missing the mark in our relationship with and response to our calling from God. We certainly can and do observe people who are close to us who are doing things that are harmful to themselves and perhaps others. Things that are not consistent with loving our neighbors as we should be loving ourselves. It is my experience that the only thing that breaks through the shells such people have built around themselves is gentleness coupled with firmness. I love you, I will always love you but I cannot allow you to sell drugs from my home.
We must also deal with the question: do we become a transgressor ourselves if we fail to restore in a spirit of gentleness? This gets back to that question of judgement. It seems to me there is a lot going on in our society that looks more like hate than love as we condemn others for not being like us.
Prayer: Lord, help us to treat others with gentleness as you restore us through your gentle love. Amen.
*https://biblehub.com/greek/3900.htm
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.