I was reading one of my Blogs from 2015 - based on Gal. 6;1-5 and it seems a really good model for life, growing in relationship with others in such a way that we might be able to help one another in their daily walk, and their daily struggles. I have copied and expanded that blog entry below.
Here are the verses - Galatians 6:1-5 NIV:
[1] “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. [2] Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. [3] If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. [4] Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, [5] for each one should carry their own load.”
It is so interesting reading the English translation and then going back and reading the original language and seeing what if any differences there may be. Breaking down the Greek:
In verse one, the word Paul used that was translated sin, was not the common Greek word Hamartia, which is defined as missing the mark, or having no share in (target), but rather the word Paraptoma, which is defined to fall beside or near something. The secondary definition is a lapse or deviation from the truth.
The word translated restore is the Greek word katartizo which is defined as mending or making one complete, fixing something that is broken.
The word translated temptation is the Greek word Peirazo which is defined as trying or testing whether something can be accomplished.
Finally the word translated caught is Prolambano which is defined to take before, as in taking hold of someone by the hand before.
When I put those words together I get an image of a brother or sister walking alongside another brother or sister, reaching out their hand to steady them or help them when they stumble or fall and helping them back to their feet, back to the path, helping them fix anything that might have been broken. Paul encourages them to do so gently, lest the one helping might also be drawn into the testing. I can almost picture two people walking together on a rough trail, steadying each other, both knowing they are the support for the other. What an awesome picture of how to help one another in our faith walk. Neither individual takes a judgmental position, but rather they are both acknowledging they are walking the path together.
This actually makes better sense as we shift into the second verse of bearing one another's burdens. Why would Paul write that if He was just talking about catching someone in their sin? If the image is of walking down a path together, it makes perfect sense, for in the natural we often times will offer to carry the burden of another as they traverse a difficult stretch or their strength is waning. When we are walking alongside another, we have an understanding of load each other is carrying, their strength and their needs. Paul says this is fulfilling the law of Christ, which I think relates back to the commandment that Jesus gave us to love one another as He loved us, laying down His life.
Imagine if we all were willing to walk alongside one another and were willing to help each other in their time of need and struggle, willing to lay aside our own concerns and attentions and instead look to them to help them. We see this type of behavior come out when we are confronted with major catastrophes, as in earthquakes, tornados, blizzards, etc. People are willing to help one another, laying aside their own concerns for a while, going to those who need help and providing whatever aid and assistance they can. It is in these times that we see the goodness in our neighbors and people around us. I believe Paul's encouragement this morning is to live this way all the time.
As I was reading these verses and this reflection, I was thinking about how important having people who we can trust to help us, and us them, especially in areas where we struggle. We have wonderful models for support groups of all sorts, grief support, dealing with divorce, chemical dependency support, A.A, etc. These are such wonderful helps for those who are dealing with significant burdens in life. As I noted above, the truth is that we probably should all live this way, and have groups that help support one another all the time.
I think Paul, in his next sentences, identifies the issue that keeps us from living with such interdependence, namely pride! We don’t want to admit that we all need help! We want to compare ourselves to others and consider ourselves better than those that need help!
I think in all areas, in all of our lives, we need encouragement, support, transparency and vulnerability with a trusted group of a few who we can trust totally. If we are all truthful, we all struggle with sins, selfishness, and wanting things our way, which is more often than not in contrast to God’s ways! Paul encourages us to take a real look at our own lives, not to compare with others, but to own our own state, and see ourselves as we really are!
In this social media infested world, where people are aspiring “influencers”, the temptation to create and project false personas and false lifestyles is all around us. Authenticity is being lost in the world of make-believe, pushed on us daily through social media. This is the exact opposite of what we are called to embrace in our lives as Christians.
I am reminded of Paul’s encouragement from his letter to the Philippians 2:1-4 NIV:
[1] 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, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
I am encouraged this morning to learn to walk alongside my brothers and sisters, learning to rely on their help and provide real help as well. I am encouraged to make this a lifestyle for every day rather than just during special times of extraordinary need. I am encouraged to look at myself, to see who I really am, and how I am really doing. I am encouraged to look for those that I can trust and be in relationship with, so that I might grow in my ability to love as Christ loves me. Lord help me and help us to have such an attitude towards one another.
Amen and Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment