October 5th 2014
In What Do You Take Pride?
Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.
Galatians 6:4-5 (NIV)
Have you ever been guilty of comparing yourself to someone who you know is an easy mark, by this I mean they are of a questionable character, and thus, in comparison to them, you will look good? In the selected verses, Paul is trying to tell the Galatians, and us, to not compare ourselves to someone else, but do good works so that we can be proud of ourselves and not need to compare with others. In this same letter Paul writes to exhort the followers of Jesus to not become weary of doing good things. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9) If you have accepted salvation through Jesus, then you are part of a team; which is called the body of Christ!
If you accept the fact that you are a member of this team, then you should arrange your life, so that you will be in contact with other of your team members on a regular basis. Last week’s commentary dealt with people who claim to be members of the body of Christ, but cannot stand to join the other team members on a regular basis, that is to say that they chose not to attend a church that claims to be affiliated with teaching from the Bible, and thus, helping their members and friends live a Christ-like lifestyle. Do you find it difficult to find a church that matches your belief system, and therefore, you are not happy with attending any church on a regular basis?
Paul continued to write this letter to the Galatian church and he tried to explain this “doing good” thing, and how we should take pride in helping other people, especially those people who profess to be part of this body of Christ. 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. (Galatians 6:9-10) If your belief system is as strong as you may believe it is, and you have found a church that seems to not be teaching the correct biblical story, then how can you avoid trying to help them correct this teaching? Paul wrote “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
If you believe you have a gift(s) from the Holy Spirit, then you should try to help other people through this gift. Paul also wrote a letter to the church in Rome, here is something he wrote about us using our gifts. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. (Romans 12:8, NLT) Are you like some who say they do not have a gift from the Holy Spirit; well that idea does not seem consistent with many Scriptures! Is there a church that needs your help in teaching God’s Word, or in just being a dispenser of God’s love to all those who chose to attend there?
Sorry to kind of repeat, some of what last week’s commentary coved, but it just seems it fell short of what it could have said! If you have any comments related to this topic of people finding a church of their choice, please write me this week with your views on this very important problem. Many people seem to be having trouble finding a “church of their choice.”
Paul wrote to Timothy who was a young man just starting out in ministry work, and warned him about some strange belief system that were forming in the early church. Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. (1 Timothy 6:20-21) Gnosticism – taught that you may be saved by knowledge. This kind of belief seems to still be around, and has become a part of the Politically Correct religion which has taken root in the USA today! This idea has caused many churches to wander from using the Bible as the absolute authority in all areas.
If this commentary has caused you to question what the church of your choice is teaching, and if is it solely relying on the Bible to be their guide book, then I can only state that was not my attempt in writing it. Let us get back to a more positive note from what Paul wrote for us. "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:55-58)
Always know that “your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Study the Word of God every day, and pray for His guidance within you through the Holy Spirit. Attend a church of your choice on a regular basis, and help the body of Christ to know the truth. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32) Freedom is not free!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.
Galatians 6:4-5 (NIV)
Have you ever been guilty of comparing yourself to someone who you know is an easy mark, by this I mean they are of a questionable character, and thus, in comparison to them, you will look good? In the selected verses, Paul is trying to tell the Galatians, and us, to not compare ourselves to someone else, but do good works so that we can be proud of ourselves and not need to compare with others. In this same letter Paul writes to exhort the followers of Jesus to not become weary of doing good things. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9) If you have accepted salvation through Jesus, then you are part of a team; which is called the body of Christ!
If you accept the fact that you are a member of this team, then you should arrange your life, so that you will be in contact with other of your team members on a regular basis. Last week’s commentary dealt with people who claim to be members of the body of Christ, but cannot stand to join the other team members on a regular basis, that is to say that they chose not to attend a church that claims to be affiliated with teaching from the Bible, and thus, helping their members and friends live a Christ-like lifestyle. Do you find it difficult to find a church that matches your belief system, and therefore, you are not happy with attending any church on a regular basis?
Paul continued to write this letter to the Galatian church and he tried to explain this “doing good” thing, and how we should take pride in helping other people, especially those people who profess to be part of this body of Christ. 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. (Galatians 6:9-10) If your belief system is as strong as you may believe it is, and you have found a church that seems to not be teaching the correct biblical story, then how can you avoid trying to help them correct this teaching? Paul wrote “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
If you believe you have a gift(s) from the Holy Spirit, then you should try to help other people through this gift. Paul also wrote a letter to the church in Rome, here is something he wrote about us using our gifts. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. (Romans 12:8, NLT) Are you like some who say they do not have a gift from the Holy Spirit; well that idea does not seem consistent with many Scriptures! Is there a church that needs your help in teaching God’s Word, or in just being a dispenser of God’s love to all those who chose to attend there?
Sorry to kind of repeat, some of what last week’s commentary coved, but it just seems it fell short of what it could have said! If you have any comments related to this topic of people finding a church of their choice, please write me this week with your views on this very important problem. Many people seem to be having trouble finding a “church of their choice.”
Paul wrote to Timothy who was a young man just starting out in ministry work, and warned him about some strange belief system that were forming in the early church. Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. (1 Timothy 6:20-21) Gnosticism – taught that you may be saved by knowledge. This kind of belief seems to still be around, and has become a part of the Politically Correct religion which has taken root in the USA today! This idea has caused many churches to wander from using the Bible as the absolute authority in all areas.
If this commentary has caused you to question what the church of your choice is teaching, and if is it solely relying on the Bible to be their guide book, then I can only state that was not my attempt in writing it. Let us get back to a more positive note from what Paul wrote for us. "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:55-58)
Always know that “your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Study the Word of God every day, and pray for His guidance within you through the Holy Spirit. Attend a church of your choice on a regular basis, and help the body of Christ to know the truth. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32) Freedom is not free!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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