Galatians 6:1-10
Rev. Laraine Waughtal
Galatians 6:1-10
This week we celebrated Independence Day. Independence from England and to stand alone as a country. What we have to remember though is that even though we became independent as a nation we were still interdependent on other nations as they are with us. We were and still are interdependent because we need their oil, they need our food, and we need each other’s support in so many ways. And, the same holds true when you take a look at our personal lives.
From the time we are babies we are constantly striving and are told to become independent. We learn to talk and walk, read and write, ride a bike and then drive a car all in the name of independence. Our society almost breeds it in us that we need to be independent. However, as we become older and wiser we truly understand that we actually need each other very much. We need each other’s love and support. We need each other in times of crisis. We need each other’s help with farming and teaching and raising our children. We need each other’s help when we become sick.
Paul also reminds us that real freedom is not autonomy but true freedom comes in knowing Christ and having faith and being a part of each other. And, church is all about community - bearing each other’s burdens. I’m reminded of the Pilgrims who came here for freedom and autonomy, but would’ve starved but for the generosity of Native American Indians. The pilgrims eventually shared their faith with the Indians.
The truth is no one is completely independent and God did not design us to be that way. After all, in the beginning Adam was lonely and wanted a helpmate. He wanted a companion. He didn’t want to be alone. We are not meant to be alone and we are meant to work together.
Our passage shares that with us today. “My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” We need to help our fellow human beings who have not found the faith or who falter in the their faith and help get them on the right track in life gently. Notice the Scripture said gently and not with judgment or condemnation. We are to show compassion and invite them to return to their faith. We also have to do our best to not be tempted to falter ourselves in the process. It’s like telling a lie. The first time we do it and get away with it we are relieved but we feel guilty. Then we think, well I got away with it once so I will do it again. That is how temptation works. The more we sin, no matter what the sin, the easier it becomes. We need God’s help and the help of others to help restore us to our faith.
As verse seven and eight reminds us we will “Reap what we sow. If you so to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal from the Spirit.” If you work for the good of yourself and others and the community then good things will come. If you work and do only for yourself then you will become lost in selfishness and sin. Judas Iscariot got lost to his own greed and desire for earthly power and tried to force Jesus to begin His earthly kingdom. Everything backfired on him and he missed out on the glory of the seeing Jesus resurrection.
If you get mixed up in the wrong group of people you will lose sight of your Christian teaching and fall to the corruption of the group. So then, we need to stay strong in our faith and whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
This is exactly what I witnessed in Espanola, New Mexico this week. The McCurdy Mission School has made such a huge difference in so many people’s lives all because one person saw the need of others, relied on God and saw the possibilities and not impossibilities. The school is the same size as Moody and all of the children who attend are on scholarships because of the poverty in this part of the state. All of them are able to attend because of people’s generosity to help make a difference in people’s lives. However, the money for scholarships is not enough and they need people to come in and do the maintenance on the buildings so they stay in good repair and so that the students have a place that is safe and can take pride in. The passage tells us that we need to measure our work in relation to God and to make sure that we are doing it for God. I witnessed that this week.
The people on this trip came from Mexia, Waxahachie, Ovilla, Fort Worth and, of course, Moody. The school can only afford to pay 3 maintenance workers to take care of their entire school system K-12. So, they rely heavily on volunteers to take care of so many jobs. People from so many places who did not all know each other came together to do everything from office work, to painting, to refinishing floors, fixing window screens and repairing doors. Our group named ourselves the hole in the wall gang. It seemed we were fixing holes everywhere. A large whole in a wall. A hole in the ceiling. And finally two large holes in the base of the gym floor so they could put down a new gym floor. Everywhere we went we were greeted by principals and teachers and students who were so grateful for all that we were doing. With just our appearance they would get excited because they understood that we all need each other to help make that school possible for so many needy children. In the last five years they have had a zero drop out rate. They have a 100 percent graduation rate and 98 percent of the kids going off to college or military academies. Lives are being transformed by people working together in the name of Christ. The same concept that Christ wants to make happen all around the world.
Jesus unites us through His love and His grace and mercy. When we come to the table of Christ we come as children of God. It is an even playing field. No one is greater then another or lesser. All of us are equal in God’s eyes and He welcomes us with open arms. This table unites us no matter where we go or what we do we are always united and one Body in Christ.
Years ago there was in archeologist from the United States who had the opportunity to go to Israel for an archeological dig. It was an amazing experience to be recovering artifacts from the Holy Lands. The entire time he was there a seven year old Israel boy showed up each day asking him questions and following him around. Almost to the point of being a pest. When the end of his time in Israel was approaching the boy asked the man to please come and eat with his family that night. The man knew that this invitation was not extended lightly and so he chose to go. He had a wonderful time eating with this family and getting to know them.
The man was not able to go back to Israel for ten years before he had another opportunity to participate in another dig. However, he jumped at the chance and returned. He had been working for about a week when a strapping teenage young man showed up. He said, “You do not recognize me do you?” The man looked intently at him and said no. The young man smiled and said, “I am that young boy that followed you around the last time you came!” The man was overwhelmed that this “boy” had showed up again and at how much he had grown. After they visited awhile the young man invited him to dinner. The archeologist said, “No. I couldn’t. It has been so long.” The young man smiled and said to him, “Don’t you understand? Once you have been invited to dine with us you become a member of the family. It doesn’t matter how far away you go or how long you are gone you are still a part of the family.”
And, that is what God says to us. You are invited to the table to dine with Christ and you are always invited to return no matter how long you have been away. You are always welcomed here because you are a part of the family. Won’t you come today and be a part of the family of Christ?
Thanks be to God for His Son Jesus the Christ. May we, like Him, always work to serve for the good of all. Amen.