In Galatians 6 Paul addresses sin and pride, among other things. He makes it a point that we pay special attention to ourselves if "someone is caught in a sin." He says: "You who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you als may be tempted."
There is some sort of spiritual principle, it seems, that if we get bent out of shape and judgmental about a certain person or certain sin, then it's as if a microscopic lens is focused on us from below and we find ourselves facing the same temptation. That's weird, and it's real ugly when it happens.
Paul goes on to say something beautiful: "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." It's interesting that he uses the phrase "law." I wonder if it's the same Greek word for "law" that's used elsewhere in this letter. Anyway, it's cool that one of the central parts of following Christ is love -- carry another's burdens love. That is important, and very beautiful. That's the kind of love I want to be about. And that's the kind of love I appreciate receiving. That is so cool.
"If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to someobdy else, for each one should carry his own load."
This is one of the only places in the Word (that I can think of) where we are told we can be proud of ourselves. It is within the context of testing ourselves and measuring growth, which surely brings joy when we see growth. But we should not take this pride (this "I'm proud of what my son did" type of pride) and then compare ourselves to someone else. This is the wicked kind of pride. I think this context is also about a healthy, growing disciple. It is the healthy that can and should carry their own load. It is only the sick or the hurt that cannot carry their own load. It is straight talk to healthy believers. If we are healthy and growing, we don't need to be coddled or pampered. We can take "the tough stuff."
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
I think of people who are angry at the church. They deride it and want no part of it. They've been hurt, they've seen idiotic behavior, they've seen uncorrected sin, they basically have experienced something that's set them against the church. This person I think needs to change. If they are around abusive believers, perhaps they need to relocate for a time. During that relocation time, they shouldn't just sit and fester on open wounds or pity themselves. I think (and this is just my opinion) they need to find another part of the body of Christ, another body of believers, and serve that body -- just as if they were serving Jesus. This will give them the experience of a "love flow," as true love will pour out of them into the body they are serving. Over time this may heal their relationship with the body of Christ. There are healthy parts of the body. This is the truth. There are beautiful parts of the body of Christ, functioning in a love that will bring tears to the eyes. I hate to see people taint their view of the church because of some bad experiences.
I like what Ed Roland of COllective Soul said in a recent interview: "Not all cops are bad cops." Some people have the worst attitude about the police. It is probably based on some bad experience, maybe with a "bad cop." But there are plenty of public servants who deserve respect and are doing a wonderful, thankless job.
"Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh."
These people were apparently trying to pretend to be Jews and not Christians so they wouldn't be persecuted. They were more afraid of "what might happen" than they were willing to be obedient to Christ. And their motive was some conceited notion of being able to brag about "converting another one" to their cause.
I remember one time "converting someone" with an ulterior motive. I was over at this girl's apartment that I liked. And she was a "Twila Paris type," I don't know why I liked her. But anyway, this kid comes over (must've been about 18) and he's selling magazine subscriptions, he tells us, so that he can "win a prize." I told him, "I know of a prize you can win that will last forever..." And then I went on to "lead Him to Christ" (of course, the conversion part was a miracle of God and not my "work") right there in the apartment. I didn't say anything to myself, like, 'Huh, this will impress her,' but inside I knew something was askew like that. Somehow, even though I knew better, part of me was doing this good thing to score points with this girl. Her roommates were running around when the kid left, amazed that they'd seen someone led to Christ in their midst. Yeah, that was a cool thing. I hope he's still walking with the Lord (No, I don't believe any follow-up was had), but somehow I had an evil attitude about it all. Isn't that lame? That's not something to be proud of, nor "earn spiritual brownie points with." It's amazing that things are accomplished for the kingdom that way at all, but the healthy can learn from mistakes and repent.