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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
Galatians 6 verses 9,10 - We have seen over these past weeks how this letter goes right to the very heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - right to the very centre and core of our faith - and deals with topics which are so very relevant to us today.
Paul discerns a very real problem, and he concentrates on Jesus Christ and what happened on the Cross. He takes these dear people back into the Word, because he realises that the Word and only the Word can resolve this issue which had arisen in these Fellowships.
Jesus took our sins that we might be forgiven - our sicknesses and pains that we might be healed - our rejection that we might be accepted - our shame - our poverty - Jesus even became a curse that we might enter into blessing.
Jesus sets us FREE, and that is why Paul did not want to see these brothers who had come to real faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God, be chained back into legalism.
You have to do this - and you have to do that - and you have to eat with us but not with them.
We have looked at all of these things over these past months. We have read of what Jesus wants us to be rid of - and what Jesus would have us grow in our lives as we permit the Holy Spirit to lead us, and as we keep in step with the Holy Spirit.
It is a HIM and US - an US and HIM - together - co-operating.
We are to carry each other's burdens - if we see someone with a crushing load - we are to be there to help lift that load - but at the same time we have to come to that point where we take our fair share of the work and of the ministry.
Let us not become weary - no matter what we are doing!
It is possible - very possible - even for a disciple of Jesus to become weary - and that is why we need this word.
Our discipleship has nothing to do with how we are feeling. It has little to do with our emotions - or moods - our going up and down. All that is so flimsy. It is a decision.
These verses are addressed to us - who are US? Those who belong to Jesus Christ!
We are encouraged to use all the opportunities - just as Jesus ministered to all who came to HIM in need - so we are to minister to people. We are not necessarily to be running around everyone. Jesus never did that - neither did Peter or Paul - but to those people who come to us - we are to speak to them - hear them - serve them - comfort them - seek to see them rescued and saved - healed - and brought into the Kingdom of God.
We are called to serve - and that can be wearisome - and that is why we have to hear this Word and learn this lesson - where we make that decision that we are not going to permit weariness to be the cause of our giving up or giving in.
We continue to serve until death! Jesus did. Peter did. Paul did. So did John.
This encouragement is with regard to our serving all people - it is as wide as that - never let anyone call us NARROW - and may we never limit our service in any way.
And yet, the Word says - especially minister to those who belong to the family of believers. Why? Why especially to them? Well - they are family - they are brothers and sisters in Christ. They are probably being mistreated in the world, and may even be keeping quiet about that.
If the world is mistreating you, share it with the family. That may take courage, but share it in your fellowship.
In our world today there are many who are being mistreated and persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. Make sure you are aware of what is going on in the various nations where persecution is severe – and help and serve as God calls you and opens doors for you to walk through – and never become weary while serving in the Kingdom of God.
“Loving Father, hear me as I pray for those who are being mistreated and persecuted, simply because they believe in Jesus Christ. Show me how and where I can support and encourage those whose suffering is sore and severe. Amen”
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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