Memorize: Win back erring believers
Key Verses: 1, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14
We have a responsibility to each other, even those who are falling back into sin. When we become a Jesus-follower we get connected to each other. When one person is stumbling, we are all hurt in the process. We help the weak and take responsibility for our own actions. We help carry the other’s burden and carry our own load. When the burden is too much, we pitch in and help. Soldiers know this lesson well. We train to carry a wounded soldier’s gear, as well as the wounded soldier, all the while carrying our own gear.
We reap what we sow! I had someone recently share with me a hard lesson they were learning. They were lonely and wanted a night of pleasure without consequences, no stings, no hang-ups. We know sin always has consequences, but sometimes those consequences are years in coming. Sometimes they are unseen, but ever present. She found out she was pregnant. Now the joy of having a baby is mixed with the shame of her sin. She is now working to walk out forgiveness in her son’s life.
It is hard work obeying! So many are in disobedience that it might seem you are alone in pursuing God. But being alone in obedience might be the stand you must take. It doesn’t make sense to cut down the wheat three weeks before the harvest just because there is no mature grain. Obedience takes time to bring forth fruit. Keep walking in obedience. Keep walking in faith. Rule keeping will not get you to your goal of a righteous and fulfilled life.
Paul returns to his central theme of defending faith as the means to God. The motives of those who want Christians to take on the outward trappings of Judaism are clear: they want to avoid the cross and the accompanying persecution.
Paul has ended his relationship with the world, and the world has ended its relationship with Paul. His whole life has changed. The cross brings freedom to those who are willing to embrace its message. We are sinners in need of a Savior. There is no way we can gain access to heaven, get forgiveness, or even live a life worth living apart from the cross.
Paul paid a great price for his obedience to the cross. What marks are evident in our lives of our faith? Can anyone tell that you follow Jesus? Or is your life pretty much like everyone around you?
The Arnold Journey 