What Does the Law of Love Demand?
Intro:
1. The greatest commandment Lord Jesus gave us was as I have loved you, so you must love one another - Jn 13:34.
2. James called it The Royal Law (Jam 2:8)
3. So - what does this “Law of Love” demand?
Galatians 6:1-10
I. v1-6 - It Demands a Different Attitude
A. A different attitude towards a weaker brother - v1-2.
1. Someone who is caught in a sin. - v1
a. προλαμβάνω = lit: to receive in advance, to be caught by surprise.
b. παράπτωμα = sinned, made a false step.
2. The stronger brother is to restore him.
a. “Restore” (καταρτίζω) means to gently put him together like a doctor resets a broken bone or a fisherman mends his net.
b. It’s to be done “gently” (πραΰτης) in a spirit of meekness, humbly, not arrogant because you could be tested (caught) next (Golden Rule).
c. You should voluntarily sacrifice your freedom in deference to your brother (Rom 14:15).
3. The stronger brother is to carry his brother’s burdens (a weight that may be too heavy to carry alone) - v2.
B. A different attitude towards yourself - v3-5.
1. Although we must help the other brother, we are still responsible for our own burden - v5.
a. “Load” (φορτίον) a burden that can be carried alone.
b. The more mature you are in the faith, the heavier the burden you can carry.
2. Even if you are a stronger brother, don’t brag about it - v4.
a. Bragging isn’t the way to “win friends & influence people”.
b. You may not be as big as you think you are - v3.
3. You can be proud of work well done, just don’t broadcast it - v4.
C. A different attitude towards your preacher - v6.
1. This means a good preacher deserves a salary.
a. “Share” (κοινωνέω) is where we get our word “coin”.
b. “Good things” (ἀγαθός) are those things that benefit, like money.
2. Lord Jesus said, A laborer is worthy of his hire - Lk 10:7. as did the Apostle Paul (I Tim 5:18).
II. v7-8 - It Demands a Definite Commitment
A. A farmer reaps what he sows - v7.
1. You have a definite choice to make: whatever you plant you will reap - v7.
2. You must decide what crop will benefit you the most & commit yourself to it.
B. As God’s natural laws of reproduction cannot be mocked, neither can His spiritual ones!
1. “Mocked” (μυκτηρίζω) means to sneer at, lit: “turn up your nose” at - v7.
2. Many believe they can play with sex. God means for your to make a definite commitment sexually - v8.
a. If you “sow” to please your natural desire, you will “reap” what that life offers - destruction!
b. If you “sow” to please the Spirit of God, you will “reap” what the Spirit offers - eternal life!
III. v9-10 - It Demands a Disciplined Tolerance
A. You must never become weary as you live this Spirit oriented life - v9.
1. Sometimes it seems like the world oriented person is the one who prospers.
2. Here I am having a rough time financially & he gets things on a silver platter!
3. Here I am having one tragedy after another & he doesn’t know what heartache is!
B. But - he will experience heartache at the Judgment! - v8
1. Patience & faithfulness to God bring joy & peace ultimately in the eternal rest.
2. Self-pleasure is for this life only. But - this life will end!
So - while this life is here & you have the opportunity, give of yourself to others & especially to the household of faith - v10.
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