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AGAPE2 LESSON7
LESSONS FROM GALATIANS 6
Put together by Bongie Kuzwayo
[Galtians6v1—10] Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. (2) Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (3) For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (4) But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. (5) For each one will bear his own load. (6) Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. (7) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (8) For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (9) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (10) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
[Psal133v1—3] Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in oneness! (2) It is like precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. (3) It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commands the blessing— even life forevermore.
Galatians chapter 6 takes us back to ‘PRACTICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS.’ It needs to dawn to us that we are ONE in Christ. Whatever I do for my brother, am actually doing it for myself. Discerning the body (of Christ) is imperative. Paul speaks about drinking judgement, not discerning the Lord’s body.
Not discerning = treating the LORD’s body as a common thing (not esteeming it high); to separate one’s self (from the body) in a hostile spirit; to oppose.
[1Corinthians12v12—14] For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. (13) For by one Spirit we were all baptised into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. (14) For in fact the body is not one member but many.
(v1) Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
• Restore = to mend (what has been broken or rent); to put in order; to equip; ethically to strengthen, perfect, complete, make one what he ought to be.
• Overtaken = to take before; taken by surprise – before he can flee or conceal his crime. He has not learnt to resist temptation (a babe in the walk of faith).
• Spirit of gentleness = meekness, humility = these are traits of Christ Himself.
[Colossians3v12—13] Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put-on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; (13) bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
• You who are spiritual – Paul is specific; he is not just addressing anyone; but those who have been processed in God’s crucible of fire – those who can chew the meat of the word – those who have been redone by the Potter – those who have been reconfigured – those who are ready bread to be dished out to others. They have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake.
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[John6v51] I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.
As Christ is Bread for the world, we are to be bread to those in the body. We are to serve in brokenness, as we have been renewed. As equals we approach others in humility (zero titles). The grace (anointing) we carry is for the benefit of others. Because we have been discipled/disciplined (equipped), we share with others the discipline of our faith.
• Brokenness. Bread was broken – never cut. (Only the wicked were cut off). God breaks us, so that in brokenness we can strengthen others. [Luke22v31—32] And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon, indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat: (32) But I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
The wheat is crushed – coarse flour is sifted, and fine flour that remains is baked. This is the purifying work of the holy Spirit, called the baptism of fire. This is a sifting process. God will use Satan to sift the believer. Trials are an intrinsic part of a believer’s life.
• Renewed – the bread on the table of shewbread was changed every week, and the wricks of the lamps were trimmed every evening. You cannot strengthen others if you are stale bread. As an untrimmed lamp you will smoke and choak others. [2Corinthians4v16] Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
• Equals – as members in the body we are equals (though not equal). The believer loses his identity in order to strengthen others – no titles or distinctions. [1Corinthians10v17] For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
• Anointing – bread and wine on the table. Wine is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. [Ephesians5v18] And be not drunk with wine. Wherein is excess; but be filled with the Holy Spirit.
• Disciplined – the bread had no leaven. Leaven is the symbol of the flesh. The flesh must be subdued. [1Corinthians9v27] But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
(v2) Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
[Ecclesiastes4v9—12] Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour. (10) For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But, woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. (11) Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? (12) Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
(v3—4) For if anyone thinks himself to be anything, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (4) But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
[Philippians2v3] Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than self.
[Philippians2v12—16] Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; (13) for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (14) Do all things without complaining and disputing, (15) that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in
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the world, (16) holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or laboured in vain.
(v6) Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
[Luke8v1—3] Now it came to pass afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, (2) and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, (3) and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna and many others who provided for Him from their substance.
These women provided for Jesus from their substance. Jesus was a carpenter by trade – trained under Joseph, His father. During His ministry we don’t hear of Him taking time off from His assignment to earn from His carpentry business. From birth, He was provided for – wisemen from the east were sent with treasures (Matthew2).
[1Timothy5v17–18] Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in word and doctrine. (18) For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, ”The labourer is worthy of his wages.”
(v7—8) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (8) For he who sows in his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap eternal life. [Galtians6v7—8] (Amplified) Do not be deceived or deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretentions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that, and that only is what he will reap. (8) For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Remember that in every seed is infused resurrection power and eternity (Genesis8v22). Every seed will produce after its kind. We all desire eternal life; and let us therefore sow in the Spirit.
[v9—10) And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (10) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially those who are in the household of faith.
[Hebrews10v35—39] Therefore, do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. (36) For you have need for endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: (37) “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. (38) Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
[Matthew10v28] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
AGAPE 2 LESSON 7