By Your Love, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Holy Night, Unbroken Praise

Do you believe in the spiritual realm? Why or why not?

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.5 For each one will bear his own load.6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Galatians defines the TRUE GOSPEL. The first 4 chapters talk about doctrine and how to defend the gospel. Then Paul takes his readers through duty — putting faith into practice (chapters 5 and 6). We learned that true freedom is not the ability to do whatever you feel like doing but the ability to do what is right. It is the power given by the “Holy Spirit” to say “no” to sin and “yes” to God—to do what is pleasing to Him. “The Spirit is the empowering presence of God enabling believers to live the life God requires.” (Gordon Fee). What is spirituality? There are many myths of spirituality:

• Myth of Activities (Matthew 6:1)
• Myth of Zealousness (Romans 10:2)
• Myth of Knowledge (1 Corinthians 8:1)
• Myth of Position (Luke 11:43)
• Myth of Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 13:1-2)
• Myth of Sacrifice (1 Corinthians 13:3)

A spiritual person is fully surrendered to Jesus and controlled by the Holy Spirit moment by moment. Christlikeness is the result of true spirituality. Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh and do this moment by moment, surrendering to Christ one step at a time (Galatians 5:16). This result is the fruit of the Spirit, which is Christlikeness (Galatians 5:22-23). Paul addressed three types of people in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3: Christians who are the spiritual men, then men of the flesh and the world (mere, ordinary men without Christ), and then there are believers who are infants in Christ. Jesus C.A.M.E. to make us truly spiritual men and women with these qualities:

COMPASSION FOR OTHERS

The body of Christ that Paul calls “spiritual” has been commanded to “restore” someone caught in any trespass (sin and mistakes) (Galatians 6:1). The word “restore” in the Bible is used in the context of healing broken bones, or fixing nets, or rebuilding walls. When we see others caught in sin, we should not attack and judge them; instead, we must lead them back to the Lord in the spirit of gentleness. We should also be careful, so that we will not fall into temptation as well. When Christians practice this, we “bear each other’s burdens” (v.2), and therefore fulfill the law of Christ. A spiritual person is compassionate towards others. We need each other in the walk of faith. Then we’re reminded that we don’t have merit on our own (v.3). Everything we have is by grace alone!

ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY

True spirituality is being humble enough to accept personal responsibility (Galatians 6:4-5). Paul writes that “each one must examine his own work” – we must check if what we do has eternal value. What are we doing in life that can be considered meaningful? That is our personal responsibility – to use this one short life to make sure we “bear” our own load. God has given us individual assignments that we cannot pass on to others. We have to assume responsibility for our lives and not blame others.  We will all give an account of our lives to God someday (Romans 14:12). We are to share all good things that were taught to us – pass it on (Galatians 6:6). Don’t be takers only – share all good things! Paul shared about how he has been an example of this – supporting himself and not asking people for money (Acts 20:33-35). He reminds us of what Jesus has taught – it is more blessed to give than to receive. Paul preached the gospel for free, even if he had the right to receive financial support for it (1 Corinthians 9:18).

MAKE WISE CHOICES

God is not mocked – whatever we sow, we reap as well (Galatians 6:7). The command is “do not deceive” yourself – you cannot make a fool of God. Every choice is a seed, and every seed leads to a harvest. Some harvests are immediate, and some will take time. We are also free to choose, but not free to escape the consequences of choices we make.

We clearly see this with Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25:29-32). Esau was famished coming from hunting and asked Jacob to feed him lentil stew. In return, Jacob asked Esau to sell his birthright to him! Esau had a choice: will he sacrifice his birthright to eat instantly? That’s what he did – he gave up his birthright. In Old Testament times, your birthright was very important and included authority and carrying the family heritage, something Esau did not value much. Esau gave up the privilege of being the father of the nation of Israel. Many people today give in to temporal things for immediate pleasure, at the expense of eternal benefits. Don’t sacrifice what is eternal for temporal things trading what is valuable for small and less-valuable things (Hebrews 12:16-17). Choices have consequences – the question is what are we sowing? We can sow in the flesh and reap corruption, or sow in the Spirit which yields eternal life (Galatians 6:8). We are not to “lose heart in doing good” (v.9-10). We must take every opportunity to bless others. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can” (John Wesley).

EXALT JESUS

As you surrender to Jesus, the first three actions will result in exalting Him in your life. Paul ends the letter with practical application: all these things should lead to giving Jesus Christ the glory, and so that no one will boast in the flesh.  The Judaizers were motivated by selfish reasons, but Paul speaks of his own motivation: he hopes that he will never boast EXCEPT in the cross of Jesus Christ (v.14-15).  People today make fun of the gospel, not understanding what great sacrifice was done by Jesus on the cross, to bring us salvation, and secure for us TRUE SPIRITUAL MATURITY (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). All honor and glory belong to Jesus Christ alone!

Pray for people outside the church to encounter truly spiritual Christians in their daily interactions.

Be truly spiritual by being filled with the Spirit, sharing the gospel with your life and words.

Maximize the many open opportunities this Christmas to share about Jesus to people everywhere!

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• For legislators to promote and support bills and laws aligned with God’s Word.

• PRAY for the protection, safety and release of kidnapped American Christian missionary, Kevin, serving in Niger (West Africa). For God to turn the hearts of the kidnappers to repentance and salvation. Peace and comfort for Kevin’s family.

• Pray for persecuted Christians in Sudan and Nigeria) — many have been beheaded and murdered; earnestly seek God’s intervention to stop the bloodshed. Pray for freedom from oppression, that God’s word and His people bring them comfort and hope.

• PRAISE God that the rest of the living Israeli hostages have been restored to their families safely! Continue to pray that even all the dead hostages will be returned to their families for burial.

• For Israel’s war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory. For Jewish people worldwide who are experiencing a surge of antisemitism; may this lead them to the Messiah, Jesus as they turn to God for help and comfort.

• For protection of Iranian, Syrian and Lebanese Christians and other minorities, and freedom from oppression. Pray for the gospel to spread rapidly throughout their region.

• War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives prevented.

• Fire victims and their families in Hong Kong.

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• For elders, pastors, dleaders, and families to become holy, humble, harmonious, happy, and heart-working.

• Ministries and churches expand worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.