To those of you who are following my medical status:the knee is weak, a little stiff and doesn't seem to be a problem. An EMG yesterday revealed nerve damage from the knee down with a couple inches of nerve rejuvination below the knee. Will appreciate your prayers for the nerves to keep growing to get an angry foot and ankle functioning again.
Back to the story of Fred, living in community with 3 critical and controling women (sister, mother and wife. He is in the counselor's office being challenged to study Galatians 6 which is like a road map to successful community living, addressing conflict resolution.
Thus, we observe here the first parameter in Godly confrontation…carried out gently and humbly. If you are anxious to confront, you are most likely not ready to do so. A prideful controlling spirit would be evident. Resistance to the confrontation would be the result.
Back to the story of Fred, living in community with 3 critical and controling women (sister, mother and wife. He is in the counselor's office being challenged to study Galatians 6 which is like a road map to successful community living, addressing conflict resolution.
Galatians 6:1 begins with, Brothers and sisters, if another believer. This passage is written to believers in and followers of Jesus Christ. The Church. A Body of Believers as described in Romans 12:4-5. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. A healthy, positive atmosphere results when a Body of Believers can function under the following five verses guideline. Fred’s response was, “We belong to each other because we are blood. If we weren’t, we wouldn’t even want to be around each other. We are a mess.”
Galatians 6:1 continues with: “If another believer is overcome by some sin,” What is”sin?” The Bible has a number of definitions that can be best summed up with “missing the mark of living a holy life as described by the Bible.” Our sin nailed Christ to the cross, and Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death. In our study, death to personal and corporate peace and harmony… that for which community living yearns.
“Overcome,” some versions say “overtaken”. The implication is, for example when gossip, lust or envy have become a chronic pattern, the one overtaken by that pattern is harming himself. The rest of the Body is also affected. Not good for living in Community. So, not for an isolated sin, but confrontation for a pattern of sin. A chronic critical spirit. Laziness. Gossip. Prideful spirit. Fred’s temper. A persistent sin (fault) must not be allowed to polute the person’s mind or the community. Galatians 6:1 has more:
“You who are godly(some versions say ‘spiritual’) should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.” “Well,” Fred relied. “That leaves me out. To say that I am spiritual and godly would be a real pride trip. I’m not even sure what that means and who would qualify.”
“You who are godly(some versions say ‘spiritual’) should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.” “Well,” Fred relied. “That leaves me out. To say that I am spiritual and godly would be a real pride trip. I’m not even sure what that means and who would qualify.”
The counselor pointed Fred to Galatians chapter 5 which is a clear description of a spiritual man versus a person living for self.”Based on that description of a spiritual person, would you “ qualify" Fred was asked. His response was to the affirmitive. “I can’tsay I’ve reached all those qualities of a spiritual man, but that is my desire.”
Thus, we observe here the first parameter in Godly confrontation…carried out gently and humbly. If you are anxious to confront, you are most likely not ready to do so. A prideful controlling spirit would be evident. Resistance to the confrontation would be the result.
Anxious to continue walking with Fred in the next post.
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