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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
As we come to Galatians Chapter 5 and verse 13, we learn so much about Christian Leadership in this letter.
Paul has the courage to be bold and confrontational where necessary – and compassionate and so deeply concerned for the spiritual welfare of these people – when he saw the danger.
He had listened and learned about what was going on in the church there.
He risked speaking these challenging words in the confusing situation, and it was, of course, all so necessary, and so true, that Almighty God has it all written down and incorporated into His Holy Word.
Paul balanced his writing with strong words and personal appeal. He has this sense of “I was born for this”.
He loved. He led. He communicated. He holds high Jesus Christ and the cross.
Paul had a vision for the wholeness and purity of the churches, and he looks for brother to protect the Church of Jesus Christ. In this letter Paul seems to be energizing these brothers to serve with significance.
We are reading about our freedom in Christ - that freedom we have and which we can enjoy - but we only have true freedom, if it is in Christ Jesus.
Paul has been saying - Mark my words - pay attention. Now, listen to what I am saying to you. What does he imply? They had not been paying attention to his word and teaching - or they were forgetting what he had preached - or they were no longer listening to what he was saying.
Paul takes the example from the athletics track. He pictures these disciples of Jesus as athletes. He saw that they had been running a good race - getting round the track well - until someone had cut in on them - tripping them up - impeding their progress - hindering them - hampering their growth in the faith.
They were being kept from obeying the truth. And, he asks - I want to know who has done this. What group has barged in on you and put these pressures on you to fall away?
Come on - I want names - because that kind of persuasive pressure does NOT come from GOD. He speaks about those agitators who had been putting pressure on the disciples of Jesus to be circumcised - he says - I wish they would go and be castrated.
He did not want any further wickedness to be born. He did not want any more poisonous thoughts or seed to be produced.
And he does make it clear that those who put off people from being totally committed to Jesus Christ will pay the penalty - but that is up to GOD. You need only a few people to influence others negatively, and the corrupt and corrupting influences spreads and takes hold, having a terrible effect.
We have to be so very careful as to whom we allow to influence our lives - on important matters - and particularly on spiritual matters.
“Loving God, show me my real purpose in life. Help me useful as I serve in the Church of Jesus Christ. Let my light shine. Use me Lord Jesus. I do not want to waste time or talents. Allow me to influence those around me, in a way that point to You, Lord Jesus.” 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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