“If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself” (Galatians 6:1). What are some practical ways for us to live out this verse?
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mizroby on September 2, 2014 at 10:10 am
He who believes in Me . . . out of his heart will flow . . . —John 7:38
Jesus did not say, “He who believes in Me will realize all the blessings of the fullness of God,” but, in essence, “He who believes in Me will have everything he receives escape out of him.” Our Lord’s teaching was always anti-self-realization. His purpose is not the development of a person— His purpose is to make a person exactly like Himself, and the Son of God is characterized by self-expenditure. If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what He pours through us that really counts. God’s purpose is not simply to make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us. Our spiritual life cannot be measured by success as the world measures it, but only by what God pours through us— and we cannot measure that at all.
When Mary of Bethany “broke the flask . . . of very costly oil . . . and poured it on [Jesus’] head,” it was an act for which no one else saw any special occasion; in fact, “. . . there were some who . . . said, ’Why was this fragrant oil wasted?’ ” (Mark 14:3-4). But Jesus commended Mary for her extravagant act of devotion, and said, “. . . wherever this gospel is preached . . . what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” (Mark 14:9). Our Lord is filled with overflowing joy whenever He sees any of us doing what Mary did— not being bound by a particular set of rules, but being totally surrendered to Him. God poured out the life of His Son “that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). Are we prepared to pour out our lives for Him?
“He who believes in Me . . . out of his heart will flow rivers of living water”— and hundreds of other lives will be continually refreshed. Now is the time for us to break “the flask” of our lives, to stop seeking our own satisfaction, and to pour out our lives before Him. Our Lord is asking who of us will do it for Him?
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There are several ways to help another. One and the most used is to live the life according to God, for his sake, but God uses that to show others how they too should live their lives. A second way is to share an experience that helped you when you were in that kind of problem. A third might be to just listen and pray with that other person to help bring God into their thoughts and guide them on their way. A fourth could be to read the Bible from an area in which would be like the situation and that possibly they could find the answer as to their next step.
If you pray yourself and ask God how to help this person, I am sure something will come to you.
Tom Felten on September 2, 2014 at 10:20 am
mizroby, thanks so much for your insights, I love the grape analogy—the idea that the righteousness and goodness that God “squeezes” out of us is His own! Yes, may we expend out lives for Him and for the precious lives He’s placed in our lives. And may it all be to His glory!
poohpity on September 2, 2014 at 12:57 pm
What comes to mind with this verse is the first thing that people usually do when they are in the middle of sin is walk away in shame from their relationship with God and hiding from their fellow believers. So those who are spiritual by sharing their own faults and the knowing that the door is open to turn back to God because of His grace not our actions. The path is restoration and allowing God to work on their heart while we walk along side them.
Self evaluation is a key essential to preventing self righteousness and pride. Humility knows we mess up and when we are aware of that we are less likely to compare and be more dependent on God’s grace then we can show that to others.
Tom Felten on September 3, 2014 at 9:41 am
poohpity, your thoughts reminded me of 2 Corinthians 7:10. There’s no regret in having godly sorrow that leads to salvation and restoration!