Galatians 6 - to (do) become a new creation

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

Reading the very first verse of today's chapter felt like it is targeted at me.

I have been quite discouraged recently, and was deciding to leave things as it is and not do anything more. Because sometimes, trying to steer someone onto the righteous path is so difficult. They might just throw these words in your face: "Haa-naa, you are very holy."

Sometimes, trying to walk on this path yourself is even more difficult, because you are tempted to go with the others who have left this path. In fact, you know you are not holy at all; rather, you are hoping that there are others who would strive to be holy with you.

This verse seems to be a reminder for me to continue to "restore him in a spirit of gentleness". How should I go about it?

I have been feeling like I have been trying too hard in too many things. So, I am trying to take a back seat in some things. Afterall, each will have to bear his own load, right? There is only so much I can do. As long as I've tried, that's good enough?

For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. (Galatians 6:15)

What really matters is not whether you are circumcised or not, but that after one receives Christ, he becomes a new creation.

As I am reading this verse, it seems to me that the new creation that Paul was talking about is something that we have to do to make it happen. In other words, it is not simply that after we are washed in baptism, we emerged out of the water, already being new creation; but that we need to make sure that we actively seek to be a new creation after we are baptised into Christ. And we have the ability to make that happen, because we have the Holy Spirit to guide and give us strength!

Therefore, Paul was saying, whether you do circumcision or not, it does not matter; what matters is that you (do) become a new creation. ie you do something to change yourself for the better, more Christ-like.

Have we truly become a new creation after believing in Christ Jesus? We can't sit and wait for it to happen. We need to make it happen, by our actions, our conduct, our speech, and by the decisions we make in our every day life.

One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. (Galatians 6:6)

This verse intrigued me a little, probably because I am a teacher.

What good things will my student share with me? It's kind of an interesting question...

But, well..... I can think of one now.

A truth-seeker whom we came into contact with through our door-to-door evangelism efforts has been fervently studying the bible with us and has decided to be baptised!

This is indeed the best gift I can ever receive as one who teaches, I suppose. And by her decision to get baptised, that is also the best gift I can ever give to my student.

It is happening this Saturday, and I can already imagine the joy as angels in heaven are rejoicing together with us :)

May God bless.

Galatians 5 - On provoking and leaven

A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9)

Sometimes, we think that "a little bit" of something is nothing really. What is a little bit of me-time, just slacking and idling? What is a little bit of worldly entertainment, just to relax ourselves?

How about, a little bit of sin?

In the old days, when people made bread, they included an ingredient called leaven. Leaven is a yeast that makes bread rise. It creates air pockets in the dough, which end up being the tiny holes of air in finished bread. Have you ever had bread that had air pockets in one end of the loaf, and none in the other? No. Bread that has these air pockets has them evenly distributed throughout the bread. That's because when you put leaven in dough, it affects the whole loaf. (http://www.ebibleteacher.com/children/lessons/leaven.htm)

Like a little drop of ink in a glass of water...

A little bit of sin in our life will also affect our entire soul.

A little bit of sin can also spread and affect the entire church.

A little bit of sin will spread until it takes over our lives.

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:14-15)

Therefore, say "NO" even to a little!

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:26)

The word "provoke" really caught my attention. I have been giving some thoughts regarding this - that some of us might be provoking each other without the consciousness of it. However, I believe there is really no ill intentions.

It's just that recently, I find myself at the receiving end of provoking remarks. And I really find it hard to resist retaliation.

And even if I can control myself, and not be provoked, I can't help feeling all lousy and sour about it.

And so, this verse came at the right time.

Let us all pay more attention to our deeds, especially the words that we speak, so that we may not be guilty of provoking one another, albeit unintentionally and unconsciously.

Because when the harm's done, there is no 'undo' button to remove the hurt.

Let us be careful with our words and know how to say "NO" to even a little today.