Galatians 6:3

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Friday, 10 June 2016

For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Galatians 6:3

This verse bears directly on the previous verse which said, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

The person who is unwilling to help a brother who has slipped to get back on the proper path is just a human as well. In his looking down on the fallen brother in contempt or accusation, he is demonstrating that he “thinks himself to be something.” In essence, “How could you allow this deplorable sin into your life. I would never!” Such a person, acting in his haughty and arrogant manner, is no better than the one he is accusing. He thinks the fallen brother is nothing, but this just proves that “he is nothing” also.

We as humans tend to put a high value on ourselves, but in this we are only deceived. We all get up and put our pants on one leg at a time. We are all growing older; we will all die. We are not special or unique out of all of the human race, and so we need to recognize it. When our fall does come, we will inevitably get our comeuppance for the arrogance we display towards others. For this reason, let us not think too highly of ourselves, but rather let us empathize with those who fall into various sorts of sin; leading them lovingly back to restoration.

Life application: Humility in the present will generally be rewarded with kindness in the future.

Lord God, please help us to not be arrogant towards our fellow brothers and sisters who stumble and fall in their walk with You. Instead, help us to be there for them. Help us to be empathetic to their shortcomings and to gently and kindly speak words of restoration. And help us to do so directly from Your word, showing them where their conduct has failed and reminding them that there is help from You in their time of need. Grant us such ability and wisdom. Amen.

 

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