Galatians 6:1-6
The only repeated idea is carrying a load or burden and it is used in two very different instructions. The first time Paul tells us to carry each others' burdens and the second time he tells us to carry our own. What's interesting to me is the context of the two statements. Even though they are very close together, they are in tow completely different contexts. The first is in the context of seeing someone caught in a sin. Then Paul instructs the reader to go against eveyr instinct adn not abandon that person to the consequence of their sin but to walk with them and to help carry their burden. This goes against everything that I have been taught by the church (whether they taught it on purpose or not, I've alwayaas been told to watch out for sinners because they will drag you down. The best thing to do is to cut them off and not have anything to do with them).
A little later, Pual tells us that we should carry our own burdens. In this case he is saying that we will all be accountable before God for the choices that we have made and we won't be able to blame other people or circumstances. I will be responsible for my own burden at that time.
According to Paul, I not only have to evaluate my own choices and watch out for sin in my own life, I have a responsibility for my brothers and sisters. This is such a great picture of the Body: we look out for each other because we belong to each other.
Showing posts with label responsibility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label responsibility. Show all posts
Monday, February 11, 2008
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
til death do us part...
Romans 6:1-6
Observe:
"Law" is used repeatedly, sometimes in contrast to "the Spirit." Death/dying is a concept that is repeated, sometimes in contrast to being alive. Paul uses a word picture of marriage to illustrate our relationship to the law.
Interpret:
Paul is continuing his argument that we are dead to sin but made alive, through faith, to God. We no longer need to obey sin. His illustration may seem a bit strange: in Paul's time, a wife was basically property and was bound to her husband "til death do us part." She had to be obedient to him. But once her husband was dead, she was free to find a new husband. Paul argues that because we have died, we are no longer subject to sin - we are not bound by it any longer.
Apply:
I have been released from my commitment to sin and the law because I have died to sin. I am now bound to Christ and to serve him, not in the old way of the law, but in the new way of the Spirit. As Korey, Mick and I talked this morning, this means that I have a choice: I don't need to automatically sin. It also means that I need to take more responsibility for my actions - I choose to subject myself to my old master (which means I am stupid because he treats me badly).
Observe:
"Law" is used repeatedly, sometimes in contrast to "the Spirit." Death/dying is a concept that is repeated, sometimes in contrast to being alive. Paul uses a word picture of marriage to illustrate our relationship to the law.
Interpret:
Paul is continuing his argument that we are dead to sin but made alive, through faith, to God. We no longer need to obey sin. His illustration may seem a bit strange: in Paul's time, a wife was basically property and was bound to her husband "til death do us part." She had to be obedient to him. But once her husband was dead, she was free to find a new husband. Paul argues that because we have died, we are no longer subject to sin - we are not bound by it any longer.
Apply:
I have been released from my commitment to sin and the law because I have died to sin. I am now bound to Christ and to serve him, not in the old way of the law, but in the new way of the Spirit. As Korey, Mick and I talked this morning, this means that I have a choice: I don't need to automatically sin. It also means that I need to take more responsibility for my actions - I choose to subject myself to my old master (which means I am stupid because he treats me badly).
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
the advantage of circumcision
Romans 3:1-7
Observe:
Now it seems like Paul is shifting to address the Gentiles (he speaks of the Jews in the third person instead of in the second person as he has done in the previous section).
Paul is contrasting God's character to human character and basically saying that God's character is seen more clearly when contrasted to human character but that doesn't get us off the hook from facing God's judgement.
Paul starts a list in v. 2 of all the advantages that a Jew has over a Gentile. However, he only gets to number one and then he interrupts himself (a classic Paul tactic). According to my study Bible, he doesn't pick up the list again until chapter 9.
Interpret:
First, Paul is saying that Jews have an advantage over Gentiles because they have been entrusted with the word of God. This advantage also carries responsibility with it - to live according to the revelation they have been given through the words of God.
Paul then goes on a bit of a side track by saying that even if some Jews do not believe the word of God, it does not change the fact that God is faithful. We tend to think of God being faithful to us but Paul says that he is faithful to his own character - his judgement of sin exhibits his faithfulness to himself (in other words, he will never act outside of his character).
Paul goes on to destroy an argument that people were making: God cannot be just when he judges us because his character is seen most clearly in contrast to ours (i.e. his faithfulness in contrast to our unfaithfulness). This is similar to an argument that people make today that God cannot be just in judging those who don't have access to the gospel of Christ. God is just and he will judge in righteousness (Paul argues this in the previous chapters).
Apply:
As a Christian living in a free country, born to Christian parents and having access to many different versions of the Bible in my first language, I have been entrusted with a huge responsibility before God to live up to and take care of his words. I have been given many of the same advantages that the Jews had in Paul's day. This means that I must read, study, treat with respect, teach and live out the words of Christ as they have been given to me and as they are taught to me by the Holy Spirit.
Thankfully I don't hear too much of the argument that Paul was fighting against (let's do bad so God's goodness can be clearly seen). I have heard a variation of it once from a friend of mine who was a terrible driver (passed on the shoulder, 1.5x the speed limit, etc.) who saide he couldn't wait to get pulled over so that he could show the police officer respect and humility and be an example of Christ to the officer. I think God would rather have my friend be an example of Christ in the way that he drove. This passage reminds me that I am to display God's faithfulness, justice, truthfulness, etc. not by contrasting it against my own unfaithfulness, etc. but by allowing the Spirit of God to produce the character of Christ in me. I should represent, not be an anti-example of, God's character.
Observe:
Now it seems like Paul is shifting to address the Gentiles (he speaks of the Jews in the third person instead of in the second person as he has done in the previous section).
Paul is contrasting God's character to human character and basically saying that God's character is seen more clearly when contrasted to human character but that doesn't get us off the hook from facing God's judgement.
Paul starts a list in v. 2 of all the advantages that a Jew has over a Gentile. However, he only gets to number one and then he interrupts himself (a classic Paul tactic). According to my study Bible, he doesn't pick up the list again until chapter 9.
Interpret:
First, Paul is saying that Jews have an advantage over Gentiles because they have been entrusted with the word of God. This advantage also carries responsibility with it - to live according to the revelation they have been given through the words of God.
Paul then goes on a bit of a side track by saying that even if some Jews do not believe the word of God, it does not change the fact that God is faithful. We tend to think of God being faithful to us but Paul says that he is faithful to his own character - his judgement of sin exhibits his faithfulness to himself (in other words, he will never act outside of his character).
Paul goes on to destroy an argument that people were making: God cannot be just when he judges us because his character is seen most clearly in contrast to ours (i.e. his faithfulness in contrast to our unfaithfulness). This is similar to an argument that people make today that God cannot be just in judging those who don't have access to the gospel of Christ. God is just and he will judge in righteousness (Paul argues this in the previous chapters).
Apply:
As a Christian living in a free country, born to Christian parents and having access to many different versions of the Bible in my first language, I have been entrusted with a huge responsibility before God to live up to and take care of his words. I have been given many of the same advantages that the Jews had in Paul's day. This means that I must read, study, treat with respect, teach and live out the words of Christ as they have been given to me and as they are taught to me by the Holy Spirit.
Thankfully I don't hear too much of the argument that Paul was fighting against (let's do bad so God's goodness can be clearly seen). I have heard a variation of it once from a friend of mine who was a terrible driver (passed on the shoulder, 1.5x the speed limit, etc.) who saide he couldn't wait to get pulled over so that he could show the police officer respect and humility and be an example of Christ to the officer. I think God would rather have my friend be an example of Christ in the way that he drove. This passage reminds me that I am to display God's faithfulness, justice, truthfulness, etc. not by contrasting it against my own unfaithfulness, etc. but by allowing the Spirit of God to produce the character of Christ in me. I should represent, not be an anti-example of, God's character.
Monday, June 11, 2007
wrath!
Romans 2:5-11
Observe:
God's judgement is righteous. This is in contrast to the hypocritical judgement of humans in the previous section. God's judgement is based on truth (v. 2) and on what each person has done (v. 6). If we do good by seeking glory, honour, and immortality, we receive eternal life. If we are self-seeking, reject truth and follow evil, we will face God's wrath and anger.
What's the difference between wrath and anger?
Interpret:
This passage continues Paul's thought in chapter 1. In chapter 1 God's wrath is being revealed in the present (by abandoning evil doers to their sin) while in chapter 2, Paul makes it clear that there is a day of wrath to come in the future where God will reveal his righteous judgement.
We are storing up wrath for ourselves by judging others, not based on righteousness or truth but based on pettiness and selfishness. We are hypocritical in our judgement of others and because we won't repent of the sin in our own lives, we are facing judgement.
Paul places the Jew first when it comes to judgement and reward because that is the chronological order of God's revelation. God revealed himself to the Jew first through the Laws adn the Prophets and then to the Gentile through the apostles bringing the gospel. I think Paul also places them first because they bear a greater responsibility (at that time) for the revelation they have received.
Apply:
I think that in many ways I have taken the place of the Jews when it comes to responsibility. Because of the advantages God has given me (a Christian family, a Christian community, a free country where Christ is taught without fear), I feel like I have a larger responsibility to respond to Christ in a proper way. Jesus taught that to whom much is given, much will be required. I know that I have been given much and I feel a huge burden to give from that abundance (not just financially but teaching, going, equiping, worshiping, surrendering, etc.). To put in words that Paul uses in chapter 1, I feel the weight of the call of God on my life.
I really like Paul's choice of words in v. 7. I want to be known as someone who seeks glory (for God), honour and immortality! It sounds like the knights in the King Arthur legends.
Observe:
God's judgement is righteous. This is in contrast to the hypocritical judgement of humans in the previous section. God's judgement is based on truth (v. 2) and on what each person has done (v. 6). If we do good by seeking glory, honour, and immortality, we receive eternal life. If we are self-seeking, reject truth and follow evil, we will face God's wrath and anger.
What's the difference between wrath and anger?
Interpret:
This passage continues Paul's thought in chapter 1. In chapter 1 God's wrath is being revealed in the present (by abandoning evil doers to their sin) while in chapter 2, Paul makes it clear that there is a day of wrath to come in the future where God will reveal his righteous judgement.
We are storing up wrath for ourselves by judging others, not based on righteousness or truth but based on pettiness and selfishness. We are hypocritical in our judgement of others and because we won't repent of the sin in our own lives, we are facing judgement.
Paul places the Jew first when it comes to judgement and reward because that is the chronological order of God's revelation. God revealed himself to the Jew first through the Laws adn the Prophets and then to the Gentile through the apostles bringing the gospel. I think Paul also places them first because they bear a greater responsibility (at that time) for the revelation they have received.
Apply:
I think that in many ways I have taken the place of the Jews when it comes to responsibility. Because of the advantages God has given me (a Christian family, a Christian community, a free country where Christ is taught without fear), I feel like I have a larger responsibility to respond to Christ in a proper way. Jesus taught that to whom much is given, much will be required. I know that I have been given much and I feel a huge burden to give from that abundance (not just financially but teaching, going, equiping, worshiping, surrendering, etc.). To put in words that Paul uses in chapter 1, I feel the weight of the call of God on my life.
I really like Paul's choice of words in v. 7. I want to be known as someone who seeks glory (for God), honour and immortality! It sounds like the knights in the King Arthur legends.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Un-muzzled oxen
This was done on Feb. 21 but I had no internet access.
1 Timothy 5:17-20
I am very humbled by the charge that Paul gives to Timothy regarding elders – especially those who preach and teach. First, I have no complaints about what I am being paid by the church. In fact, I want to make sure that the church is getting full value for their money. They have invested in me in incredible ways – both through salary and also by paying for learning opportunities. My job is to be a good steward of the church’s resources by making sure that I take full advantage of those opportunities. For me, this means that, if the church sends me to a conference, I attend fully and participate completely – that I try to learn as much as I possibly can for my own benefit and for the benefit of the church that sent me.
I also feel a huge responsibility to not abuse the second part of this teaching: to not entertain a charge against an elder unless it is brought by 2 or 3 witnesses. This means that the church has placed a lot of trust in me and I have a huge responsibility to live up to that trust. I haven’t always seen this practiced but for the most part this church is very good about protecting its elders, pastors and teachers.
The last part of this passage scares me to pieces. Because my reputation is so important to me (sometimes that’s a good thing in that it keeps me from doing things that are sinful; sometimes it’s a bad thing because it keeps me from taking risks) I would be very ashamed to have my sin brought before the whole church and to be rebuked publicly. However, this again speaks to the huge responsibility that I have to be faithful and righteous because of the position that this church has entrusted to me.
1 Timothy 5:17-20
I am very humbled by the charge that Paul gives to Timothy regarding elders – especially those who preach and teach. First, I have no complaints about what I am being paid by the church. In fact, I want to make sure that the church is getting full value for their money. They have invested in me in incredible ways – both through salary and also by paying for learning opportunities. My job is to be a good steward of the church’s resources by making sure that I take full advantage of those opportunities. For me, this means that, if the church sends me to a conference, I attend fully and participate completely – that I try to learn as much as I possibly can for my own benefit and for the benefit of the church that sent me.
I also feel a huge responsibility to not abuse the second part of this teaching: to not entertain a charge against an elder unless it is brought by 2 or 3 witnesses. This means that the church has placed a lot of trust in me and I have a huge responsibility to live up to that trust. I haven’t always seen this practiced but for the most part this church is very good about protecting its elders, pastors and teachers.
The last part of this passage scares me to pieces. Because my reputation is so important to me (sometimes that’s a good thing in that it keeps me from doing things that are sinful; sometimes it’s a bad thing because it keeps me from taking risks) I would be very ashamed to have my sin brought before the whole church and to be rebuked publicly. However, this again speaks to the huge responsibility that I have to be faithful and righteous because of the position that this church has entrusted to me.
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