Galatians 6:1–16
My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads. Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher. Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
Reflection
Guilty of sin! We are all guilty of sin. At some time or another we are guilty of sin. Knowing that all are guilty we need to act in love towards one another. We don't separate ourselves from those that we condemn. We go to one another. We go to one another as guilty sinners. We go in forgiveness and with an attitude of restoration and renewal. We don't go to one another with an attitude of "That's not very Christian!" We come to one another, all guilty of sin, as those who wish to restore and make complete what God has begun in Christ.
We reach out in the spirit of gentleness. God's law works in the Church in love not in condemnation. When we restore, we are meek knowing that we all need restoration. If not, we would be tempted to the sin of "lording" righteousness over one another. It's the sin that we all hate and do that we go to one another in love to rebuild and renew ourselves in Jesus.
Watch out for the "Christian" attitude. It's not about what I have done or what you have done in being the "Good Christian" that counts. It's not about me or you... it's all about what Jesus has done FOR me and you. Don't fall into a self pride of "I'm better so you must be wrong."
When another person falls to sin, we should realize how easy it is for ourselves to fall to sin. We reach out in love and compassion to the fallen to restore and teach the realities of our own sin. We go back to the Gospel of Christ and the grace Jesus has shown to restore, rebuild and to make new both ourselves and the one who has fallen.
This approach to sin applies to fellow disciples and to unbelievers. We reach out in love to one another to make each other new. It's the act of Jesus on the cross that brings all of us together in unity. Jesus died for the sins that we reach out to one another in restoration. Jesus restores us to favor with God... all of us... each of us. Don't be proud... accept it... Jesus gave this gift in love... to you and to me. We are new creations in Christ. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, keep me from separating myself from you and from others. You bring us all together to make each and all of us a new creation. In you we have life... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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