This blog is going to look at indications of the Gospel in Galatians 6:1-10. Note Galatians 6:10 (NIV),
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
This passage is heavily slanted toward relationships and the responsibility we have in Gospel-centered relationships. Notice, for example these key ideas:
- 1 Brothers and sisters . . . restore that person gently.
- 2 Carry each other’s burdens . . . .
- 4 Each one should test their own actions . . . without comparing themselves to someone else,
- 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
- 9 Let us not become weary in doing good . . . 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
"The kind of fellowship I'm enjoining flies right in the face of our American individualism and desire for privacy. We don't want anyone poking around in our affairs, and we certainly don't want to be accused of poking about in anyone else's. This idolatry of privacy and individualism is one of the greatest detriments to sanctification in the church today. God has placed us in a family because we don't grow very well on our own. It's still not good to be alone. We need the encouragement, correction, and loving involvement of others who are willing to risk everything for the sake of the beauty of his bride." [1]
In Philippians 2, Paul roots this mentality right smack in the middle of the Gospel. There he is so clear: “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:1–5, NIV).
"Here we have a first-class conditional sentence expressing the condition as a fact in Greek. Since these things are blessed realities, how incongruous for any saint to act as if they were nonexistent." [2] To be a Christian, to believe and obey the Gospel is to be baptized into a Body. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” (1 Corinthians 12:13, NIV). The New Testament renders it an inconceivable notion to believe the Gospel and NOT to live in community with other Christians. And this community carries with it responsibility and accountability.
We call You Father, Father, because You adopted us into Your Family, through grace and by faith in Your Son, our Savior and Brother, the Lord Jesus Christ. Through the Gospel we have a Family that is inherently more precious than any biological family on earth. We call other Christians brothers and sisters because they are indeed our spiritual siblings. Oh how imperfect we are! We have rivalrys. We have disputes. We hurt and sin against one another. But like our biological family there is nothing we can do to change our spiritual birth certificates. At the same time we really do love one another and we really do care -- even though is is expressed imperfectly and inadequately. Father You have made us one, in Christ Jesus. Grant the wisdom, the insight and the grace today that we might live out the realities of the Gospel to those we meet. For the sake and the glory of what God has done in Christ for us. Amen.
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1. Fitzpatrick, Elyse M. (2008-04-24). Because He Loves Me: How Christ Transforms Our Daily Life (p. 178). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2437). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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