10-23-13 “The Body or Everybody”
Galatians 6:2
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Believers are called to be separate from the world, but part of the family of God. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 confirms that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. So this is why we share one another’s burdens; we are all part of the body of Christ.
The rest of the beginning of Galatians 6 says, Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.
I love this reality check from the Apostle Paul. You are not that important! But, wow! I sure think that I am when I’m indifferent to or too busy for those who are weeping or rejoicing. We are part of the same body. I know personally for my own body that I never ignore a headache. It bothers all of me. I’ve stubbed my toe before and the rest of my body didn’t ignore that either. And when lemon juice finds a paper cut, my whole body finds out about it immediately.
How true this should be for the extension of the body of Christ too. I need to spend more time being concerned, having empathy and sympathy, and rejoicing with the glad hearted and praying for the sad and lonely. Just because I don’t know them all doesn’t mean I can’t pray for some.
I can take time for the ones I do know. I can pray for protection for missionaries that I know. I can pray God’s comfort every day for my friend who is now a widow. I can pray for God’s sustaining grace for my other friend who takes care of his sick wife every day. I may not have any physical solutions or be able to offer monetary help, but my heart can go out to them and we can lift our concerns and praises together to our great Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who has united us together in the first place.
Dear God,
Thank you for the design you have created for YOUR family. There is no one who is insignificant or left out to you, and you have let Believers be the Body of Christ - an extension of his personal and individualized care. I love that so much. I have benefited from it greatly myself at times and desire to be a benefit to the other members. I love you and pray for your guidance, wisdom, direction, and joy today in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Galatians 6:2
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Believers are called to be separate from the world, but part of the family of God. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 confirms that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. So this is why we share one another’s burdens; we are all part of the body of Christ.
The rest of the beginning of Galatians 6 says, Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.
I love this reality check from the Apostle Paul. You are not that important! But, wow! I sure think that I am when I’m indifferent to or too busy for those who are weeping or rejoicing. We are part of the same body. I know personally for my own body that I never ignore a headache. It bothers all of me. I’ve stubbed my toe before and the rest of my body didn’t ignore that either. And when lemon juice finds a paper cut, my whole body finds out about it immediately.
How true this should be for the extension of the body of Christ too. I need to spend more time being concerned, having empathy and sympathy, and rejoicing with the glad hearted and praying for the sad and lonely. Just because I don’t know them all doesn’t mean I can’t pray for some.
I can take time for the ones I do know. I can pray for protection for missionaries that I know. I can pray God’s comfort every day for my friend who is now a widow. I can pray for God’s sustaining grace for my other friend who takes care of his sick wife every day. I may not have any physical solutions or be able to offer monetary help, but my heart can go out to them and we can lift our concerns and praises together to our great Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who has united us together in the first place.
Dear God,
Thank you for the design you have created for YOUR family. There is no one who is insignificant or left out to you, and you have let Believers be the Body of Christ - an extension of his personal and individualized care. I love that so much. I have benefited from it greatly myself at times and desire to be a benefit to the other members. I love you and pray for your guidance, wisdom, direction, and joy today in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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