Today's devotional
What you do is none of my business. That's more cultural cliche' than biblical truth. Fact is, what you do IS my business; and vice versa.
"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6.1-2)
In a culture that highly values independence, the biblical mandate for intervention is uncomfortable at best. "Live and let live" just doesn't cut it in the body of Christ. Wayward family members are to be gently challenged by those in current positions of spiritual strength. But, the interveners must consider their own personal risk, because none are immune to the sins that others have succumbed to. Get involved in correction, but be careful.
Honestly, when was the last time you saw these corrective measures administered within your fellowship of believers? When was the last time you were personally involved, in either a corrective or redemptive capacity? If the response was a show of hands, I'm picturing none raised (well; maybe one or two hands). More often than not, we're likely to let each other do their own thing; even to their detriment. After all, who am I to confront someone else about their sin? There is plenty of blood on my own hands in the first place. Confronting someone else' sins just might force me to confront my own hidden sin. Do we really want that kind of honesty and transparency?
We're never promised that life in the body of Christ would be easy. But, too often we've made it that way. Sundays are safe enough, with our pleasant smiles and I'm-living-the-victorious-life persona. But, the true reality is that there's far more brokenness than even begins to meet the eye. So, why do we choose to agonize silently rather than risk transparency? Because the potential for more pain seems to outweigh the desperate cry for help.
I can count on one finger the kind of honesty that Galatians six, verses one and two, outline. But, I can tell you that healing, rather than more hurt, resulted when believers honestly partnered together. So, how about you and I take the risk of transparency, in hopes of real healing and authenticity? The risk will certainly be worth the reward.
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6.1-2)
In a culture that highly values independence, the biblical mandate for intervention is uncomfortable at best. "Live and let live" just doesn't cut it in the body of Christ. Wayward family members are to be gently challenged by those in current positions of spiritual strength. But, the interveners must consider their own personal risk, because none are immune to the sins that others have succumbed to. Get involved in correction, but be careful.
Honestly, when was the last time you saw these corrective measures administered within your fellowship of believers? When was the last time you were personally involved, in either a corrective or redemptive capacity? If the response was a show of hands, I'm picturing none raised (well; maybe one or two hands). More often than not, we're likely to let each other do their own thing; even to their detriment. After all, who am I to confront someone else about their sin? There is plenty of blood on my own hands in the first place. Confronting someone else' sins just might force me to confront my own hidden sin. Do we really want that kind of honesty and transparency?
We're never promised that life in the body of Christ would be easy. But, too often we've made it that way. Sundays are safe enough, with our pleasant smiles and I'm-living-the-victorious-life persona. But, the true reality is that there's far more brokenness than even begins to meet the eye. So, why do we choose to agonize silently rather than risk transparency? Because the potential for more pain seems to outweigh the desperate cry for help.
I can count on one finger the kind of honesty that Galatians six, verses one and two, outline. But, I can tell you that healing, rather than more hurt, resulted when believers honestly partnered together. So, how about you and I take the risk of transparency, in hopes of real healing and authenticity? The risk will certainly be worth the reward.
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
posted by steve @ 9:32 AM
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