Tuesday 21 February, 2017

6 Brothers and sisters, what if someone is caught in a sin? Then you who live by the Spirit should correct that person. Do it in a gentle way. But be careful. You could be tempted too. 2 Carry one another’s heavy loads. If you do, you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are somebody when they are nobody, they are fooling themselves. 4 Each person should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves. They won’t be comparing themselves to someone else. 5 Each person should carry their own load.

At the end of chapter 5 Paul has just described in detail the fruit of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. At the beginning of chapter 6 Paul reminds me that I am to look at myself to see if that fruit indeed exists in my own life. Like a chemist, I am to study the material carefully to assess its composition. Although it is easier for me to compare myself to others I must look for the fruit described in chapter 5 – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Seeing these fruit in my life allows my heart to be confident that I indeed belong to Jesus.

My God, if I see fruit missing and sin in their place, restore me gently. May my family in Christ direct me again in the way of truth and show me your boundless grace. Your grace is the Rock on which I find refuge from the raging waters of sin. Your Grace is the platform from which I am restored. God allow me to restore others with that same grace and love. Amen

Written by Andrew Mellor