Galatians 6:1-18

Galatians 6:1–2 ESV

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

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Intro:

Last study– we studied the concept: “walking in Spirit”

Which will produce a “harvest” in our life.. of love.

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Now.. we always say.. “the fruit of the Spirit”

And that’s correct.. but, that word fruit is also translated “harvest”..

Which, expands the idea and the concept of what is being produced in us.. ++

The term fruit, might lead us to conclude something about.. validation..

Fruit, validates what you are..

This is a clear Biblical concept. You say you are a Christian… therefore, your life will validate this claim by producing fruit.

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But, the word Harvest.. that takes it a step further..

For a harvest.. is intended to benefit other people..

The idea of bearing fruit goes beyond.. “what you are” it goes beyond validation..

And it begins to delve into..

…my responsibility.. to benefit other people….

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Is my life as a Christian producing fruit? We might say, “yes”. Ok, does this fruit benefit others? Hopefully, we will also say “yes”. ++

Now.. there’s some confusion over the fruit.. (the harvest) of the spirit..

because that word: fruit, is singular.. - we spoke of this in our last study. ++

so most interpret it to mean.. that the fruit of the spirit is “love”

and those other thing.. (list them)

these are the things which are produced in love. ++

It’s like saying.. the fruit of the spirit is an apple..

.. it’s.. apple pie, it’s apple cider.. it’s apple juice.. it’s apple sauce.. it’s apple butter – so on… ++

Whatever the case might be..

it’s obvious.. if we’re walking in the Spirit..

as opposed to walking after a set of rules and laws.. - which is the crux and context of Paul’s present arguement. ++

If we are stepping out..

Under the guidance of God’s Spirit..

Then we will have lives.. that produce a harvest.. meaning: they will benefit ourselves.. AND.. other people.. ++

The concept of “selfishness”..

That is a contradiction to being “Spirit led”

This is the current thread of logic.. that was established in chapter five.. and sets the stage for what’s going on in chapter six. ++

Not only do we need to be reminded of what the current thread of logic is..

But we also need to be reminded.. of what the over all theme of this letter is.. ++

If we forget.. what the Galatian church is going through..

We might miss out on the full gamut of Paul’s current instruction.. ++

Remember.. Paul brought the message of grace- salvation in JX.. by faith.. not by works..

Favor from God.. based on Christ’s merit, not ours..

The Galatian church initially embraced this.. ++

Then, when Paul left.. the Judaisers came in..

Telling this church.. that it was still necessary to perform certain laws and rituals..

Specifically.. the men of this church..

These.. non-Jewish.. Gentile believers of Gaulish heritage…

Were told.. that they needed to be circumcised..

If.. they really wanted to make God happy.. ++

So.. throughout this letter.. Paul has been laying down a contrast…

Between Law.. and Grace..

Between the attitude of those who walk according to the law..

And those who walk according to the Spirit

Between the life, that is lived.. in the flesh..

And the life.. that is lived.. in the Spirit.. ++

Over and over again, Paul has re-communicated this issue..

He would explain it..

Then, he would do it again, in a different way..

Then, he would take a different angle.. and explain it again.. ++

As we continue on.. into chapter 6..

Paul is continuing to be.. consistent.

He maintains the over all theme..

And: he builds upon the argument of chapter 5…

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Let’s reads again, these opening passages:

SLIDE 3

Galatians 6:1–3 ESV

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

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When we consider the fallen brother or sister..

we must also.. consider ourselves.

Why?

Because it’s going to put us in the right frame of mind, for walking in love and grace.. ++

Remember.. Paul is competing for the heart of this church, with legalists..

And this self inspection.. is not a common practice amongst the legalistic..

The nature of the legalist.. is NOT.... “look into your heart, and consider your motives”… the nature of the legalist, is to “look upon your deeds, and consider your compliance to the rules.”… The legalist doesn’t lay a message of grace upon the people.. instead… it is their mission… to lay a burden upon them.. ++

Legalists rarely look inward. Their concern, is the outward. Legalists also, rarely look upon the motives of their own hearts. They are content to judge the standard of their life, by outward deed, rather than inward sincerity.

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SLIDE 4

Turn w/me:

(NKJV)

Matthew 23:4 ESV

4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.

Here, Jesus is speaking in regards to the legalists..

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4 cFor they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. [1]

You see.. the nature of those who walk in the Spirit..

Is to demand more of self, so that we can be more effective in helping others..

The nature of the legalist..

Is to simply.. demand more of others..

To be harder on other people.. than they are on themselves.. ++

In ..

Peter is laying out an argument to the counsel in Jerusalem..

Peter had witnessed the Gentile believers being filled with the Spirit..

Gentiles experienced.. what they, as believing Jews experienced on the day of Pentecost..

The H.S. has shown his approval..

Now.. what should the church do..

Well, many there felt like these Gentiles should be following the law..

And Peter asked them: ++

SLIDE 5

Acts 15:10 ESV

10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

“why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?”

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They are accepted by God..

The H.S. has made no distinction between them and the Jews.. ..

Why then, should the church.. lay the burden of the law on them? ++

In

Jesus faced these guys again..

Jesus was hanging out with tax-collectors..

And they complained about it.. ++

Why?

Because that’s the nature of legalism..

It’s simply an issue of “pointing fingers”..

w/no consideration of self… ++

Of course.. Jesus set them straight..

Jesus was always setting these guys straight..

Those who complained that he ministered to prostitutes.. to tax collectors..

… he set them straight.. ++

Those who felt it was necessary to stone the woman they had caught in adultery..

He set them straight.. ++

Now.. there’s an amazing example.. – the woman caught in adultery… “Jesus! Should we stone her?”

Most scholars speculate.. that Jesus crouched down in the sand.. and wrote names..

… after WHICH He said.. : he w/o sin.. let him cast the first stone.. ++

I personally believe.. that Jesus simply revealed the hypocrisy to their own hearts..

They were forced into self inspection..

The hard stone veil between their rules, and their heart motives… was torn down… and they had to do what honest sincere people do… they had to look at their own hearts… ++

And no one.. picked up a rock..

Not even the one.. who was w/o sin.. ++

They came as legalists.. ready to condemn. But they were forced to see first, what was in their own hearts.. - That really changed their attitude. ++

Back here in .. Paul said:

if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

This links directly to the previous verses..

If you think you are something..

Then you probably won’t be compelled to restore someone spiritually.. in love.. . ++

No.. you’ll be more apt to take up stones and toss them.

You’ll be more apt to condemn and curse the one who has fallen..

..than seek to restore them in love.. ++

Vs. 1 speaks of a person who is ‘caught’… or “overtaken”

This word.. implies a “surprise”..

Someone was caught off-guard.. and temptation and opportunity were there..

And they heeded the desires of the flesh.. and fell.. ++

They gave the weakness of their flesh.. “opportunity”

They didn’t seek the sin out.. but.. the environment was right..

The opportunity revealed itself..

The safeguards were not in place… ..

The accountability.. was absent..

And.. they were overtaken… they were caught. ++

What is our responsibility to that person?

yell at them… make them feel bad… curse them… make sure they suffer...

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No… we are told to…

restore them, in a spirit of gentleness. ++

That word restore.. means: literally: “to mend”

It’s the word the fishermen used when they were mending the holes in their nets..

And notice.. once the holes were mended.. what did they do with the nets?

Throw them in the garbage? Burn them?

Pack them up and never use them again? ++

No way.. they took them back out on the boat and began to use them again..

This is God’s heart.. for those who have slipped into a trespass..

He wants us to be restored.. fixed.. healed and set back in place..

So that we can be functional again.. ++

In our witness as believers..

And.. in our work unto the Lord.. as His servants..

Now.. we understand.. that w/God.. all sin is equal, in that it all equally separates us from fellowship with Him..

And, it is all equally forgiven in the blood of Christ..

So.. as far as things go, between us and God..

There is no level or degree of sin or trespass.. ++

But, when it comes to the social, ethical and moral economy of life..

.. it becomes very obvious.. that different sins.. bear different consequences..

We see this reality in the teachings of the law. Different sins, required different forms of restoration… ++

For all of us, if we fall into a sin, we are all fully capable of being restored fully into our place as worshipers and servants of Christ..

However.. there are some degrees of ministry.. some specific areas of service..

Where the net.. cannot be mended… to it’s previous purpose.. ++

It’s mended, between you and God… but it’s not always mended, between you, and a high calling you once walked in. ++

I could very easily.. fall into practices.. that would completely and totally, disqualify me..

.. from ever taking the position of Pastor.. again.. ++

Of course, many do. Many who are pastors, or elders, or evangelists… when they fall into sins of adultery… after some time… we see them back in their positions of spiritual leadership.

One of the most prominent pastors in the USA.. is up against some pretty hard allegations.

If they are true.. I don’t believe.. personally.. that his net can be mended to its previous state.

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Can he be fully restored in his fellowship with Christ.. and walk freely in the grace of God.. worshipping Him and serving Him?

Yes..

Can he stand again, in the roles he resigned from this past week?

Yes, God fully restores them in fellowship...

My personal opinion?

But the high call comes, with a high degree of responsibility. Just read Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus, and you will see this. ++

I think it would be a bad idea..

When we look at verse one.. the context does not speak of an accepted lifestyle and an ongoing practice of grievous sin..

it speaks of.. a mistake.. a slip.. the guard was down.. and you were taken by surprise.. w/temptation.. ++

Maybe it was a lust issue.

Maybe it was an outburst of anger and wrath.

Maybe it was a financial indiscretion.

Maybe it was a slip of the tongue..

Maybe it was an unwise decision.. w/drugs or alcohol.. ++

Are you out? Is the church done with you? Should the shame of your mistake.. drive you out of fellowship for good?

No.. instead.. it should find you in the place of reception..

In a place.. where you are receiving.. from those who are spiritual..

A gentle ministry.. of restoration.. ++

Many people… when they fall… when they get caught in a transgression… shame drives them away from fellowship. But, to the church which practices the teachings of … a person caught in transgression… should not run away. They should run to... ++

This is a safe place for one who sins… this is a place of restoration and encouragement. ++

Here’s why this challenge is given to us..

Here’s why we are called to restore our fallen brother or sister..

Because.. we may very easily, one day..... be in the same place they are.. ++

We are going to be gentle with someone else..

Because we are considering ourselves..

And we know.. what we are capable of doing..

And we are capable of succumbing to temptation also..

And we might, some day.. need to receive.. in gentleness.. what we are called to dish out..

… to our fallen friend.. right now. ++

Paul impressed this same idea upon the church in Corinth..

He told them, in:

… “if you think you stand.. take heed, lest you fall.. “

Why? ++

He goes on to tell them.. that the temptations that overtake us.. are common to mankind..

We are all susceptible.

But.. God restrains the power of the temptation.. to a level which we are able to withstand it..

And.. God provides us a way of escape from that temptation.. ++

We might not utilize our strength to overcome the temptation.

We might not be willing to seek out, or act upon our provided escape..

But all the same.. it’s there.. - God promises it. ++

Essentially.. we were just told.. that we should not consider ourselves as being.. beyond the reach of temptation.. ++

SLIDE 6

It says.. in:

James 5:19–20 ESV

19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone wturns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way xwill save 3a soul from death and ycover a multitude of sins.

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Look, if you are one of those high and mighty Christians that does everything right..

You raise your kids and discipline them better than other people..

You engage in more wholesome activities than other people..

You never do anything that borders upon the reflection of worldly.. ++

If you are perfect..

You might not easily find the willingness w/in yourself..

To turn back the wandering brother or sister.. ++

Why?

Because you don’t see your own potential for failure..

You’re too focused on your list of successful behaviors..

And you don’t see why, other people aren’t devoting themselves to your list of successful behaviors..

This is why.. restoring the fallen brother in gentleness..

Is easier.. and more appropriate..

For those of us.. who see and realize our own potential for failure. ++

If you think, you might never need to be restored… then why would you be motivated to restore?

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SLIDE 7

Galatians 6:4–5 ESV

4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.

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This is interesting.. in vs. 3.. we were told to bear one another’s burdens..

and here.. we are told to bear our own burden..

At first glance.. this might seem like a contradiction..

But.. of course… it’s not. ++

The first word.. (vs. 2).. which is translated: “burden”..

Means: “heavy burden”

While in vs. 5.. the word that is translated “load” or “burden”

Means: “a soldier’s pack” ++

There are areas in life.. where we bear our burdens.. because they are only ours to bear..

and.. there are areas.. where we share our burdens.. because, that which weighs on us.. is too heavy for us to handle on our own.. ++

years ago… when there were 7 kids, I had a van, and a VW Gold… ..

If my van broke down.. I wouldn’t be able to get my kids to church..

I would have a burden that I can’t bear..

I couldn’t get them all in the Volkswagen I was driving.. ++

So.. you might bear my burden.. and give my kids a ride to church..

But… even though you took the burden of hauling my kids in your car..

It doesn’t mean, that you should take the burden of raising them.. as your own.. ++

The responsibility.. the burden of being their father.. is mine.

It is wrong for me to expect somebody else to be the father.. that is my burden.. my privilege.. and only I can bear that. ++

There are many things.. many responsibilities.. that belong to us..

We own them..

In this context.. we own the responsibility.. of being victorious over temptation.. ++

And if we are.. if we remain true in our call to live uprightly for Christ..

Then.. in ourselves.. we will have reason to boast.. - that’s what verse 4 is saying…

But.. here’s the warning.. ++

Our reason.. to boast..

Is in ourself… and not in our neighbor.. ++

Here’s what this means…

I don’t boast in my lifestyle.. because.. by way of comparison..

It’s better than somebody else’s lifestyle.. ++

I don’t boast in my goodness, by means of comparison...

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I am good, righteous and holy..

because I don’t watch T.V. like those other Christians do.. ++

I’m good w/God… because I never allow any form of alcohol into my house..

.. unlike some Christians I know.. ++

I’m a good Christian.. because other believers I know put their kids in public school..

And I… homeschool. ++

SLIDE 8

Jesus even gave a parable about this behavior:

(NKJV)

Luke 18:10–12 ESV

10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’

10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee fstood and prayed thus with himself, g‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ [2]

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Remember how that parable ended?

The tax collector.. he went down to his house.. justified..

But.. the Pharisee.. did not. ++

If we are to be satisfied with our spiritual well-being..

it is not to come.. through the guise of comparison.. to other Christians..

We have our own load to bear.. ++

SLIDE 9

Galatians 6:6–8 ESV

6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he 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.

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SLIDE 10

GAL 6.9-10

Galatians 6:9–10 ESV

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

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I love this.. for we transition… from the call.. to not seek self validation.. by dissing our fellow Christian..

to: - do good to all… especially… our fellow Christian.. ++

Yes.. vs. 5.. we have our own load to carry..

But..

That does not mean, that we are intended to be independent agents..

..taking care, of only ourselves.. ++

Vs. 6 helps me pay my mortgage...

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If you attend here, and receive spiritual guidance here..

It only makes sense.. that you use this ministry.. as one of the main avenues through which you distribute your tithes and your offerings..

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Let the one who is taught… share with the one who teaches...

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There is a portion from that tithe and that offering.. which is given… to me.

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Which is then.. given to me..

Not as a gift… but rather… as a wage well earned.. - at least, I hope you consider it as such.

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But, even as an earned wage… I am still thankful for the means by which it is made available. It is made available, through your faithfulness to the principles of this passage..

So… thanks.. for sharing your good tings.. with “him who teaches”..

May I say right now.. that I really appreciate that? ++

The general principle of generosity continues..

If you sow your: time, energy and resources into the pleasures and enjoyments of the flesh..

Then, in life.. you will reap some form of corruption..

Sow to corruption… the corrupt desires of the flesh… then you will reap corruption.

For everything that is flesh and matter.. in this world.. is destined for corruption..

Even the things that seem innocent.. ++

.. the material possessions that we sow into..

Those things.. are going to break down.. fall apart.. and possibly.. burn to the ground.. ++

And the things.. that are not so innocent..

Investing in the more devastating pleasures of the flesh.

The hungers of lust, greed and pride..

Sow into these things.. and what do we reap? ++

Well.. that harvest can get ugly. ++

But.. God’s principle of generosity encourages an investment into.. that which is spiritual..

For what do we reap?

It’s not a thing.. which breaks down in corruption and comes to an end..

No way.. We reap.. eternal life…

And all the blessings there in.

Vs. 10 gives us an example to how we can sow to the Spirit.. ++

Do good to everyone. ++

Especially.. in the household of faith.. to one another.

This re-enforces a principle of the faith..

If we are to be profitable in: giving, loving and serving out there in the world..

We must first.. be invested spiritually.. here in the body of Christ.. ++

We are called.. to edify one another..

To encourage one another..

To love one another, and help one another out..

To.. pick one another up.. and restore one another when we have fallen..

To reprove one another in love..

To share.. the heavy burden.. of one another.. ++

We do this, because we are first… family. We are not only representatives of Jesus to the world, but we are representatives of Jesus to one another.

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There’s an emphasis here, with purpose.

If we as a community are strong… it will contribute to the strength of the individuals. And it will enable us, to do good to those who are outside the household of faith..

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Also, this emphasis rails against a legalistic nature. The biggest enemy of the legalist, is not the world… it is, instead, the fellow Christian. The legalist struggles to show grace to a fellow believer who fails to meet the same standards as them.

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For this reason, legalists usually assemble in small, like minded groups. They focus on the the many things they call heresy. They write blogs attacking their fellow Christians. They do good… but not so much, in preference… to the household of faith. ++

SLIDE 11

Galatians 6:11–13 ESV

11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

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SLIDE 12

Galatians 6:14–16 ESV

14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

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SLIDE 13

Galatians 6:17–18 ESV

17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

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What do the legalists want to accomplish amongst the Galatian church?

They want points.. they want validation that they have successfully brought them under the law..

They want to go back to the people who sent them out..

And boast in their trophy.. boast in their accomplishment of bringing these Gentiles under the law.. ++

Paul tells us where our boasting should be..

Not in the things that we have done..

Not in the rules that we have kept..

Not in the number of people who are attending church today..

Not in the amount of money that collected..

Not in the number of people who respond to a call to repent..

Not in the successes of our outreaches.. our events or our programs..

No way.. ++

No matter what happens.. in our little worlds here..

There is always something.. much greater to boast in..

And that…. Is in the cross of our Lord JX.. ++

What happened on the cross?

The debt of my sins.. was paid..

The suffering that was due to me.. for my imperfect and selfish life..

Was received and experienced by Jesus.. on my account.. ++

It’s because of the cross..

That I am able to have a restored relationship.. w/a Holy God..

Holiness does not tolerate the presence of sin..

That is why Adam and Eve lost out on those daily walks.. ++

God is holy.. and they, were sinful..

But now.. I am reckoned by God.. as one.. who is w/o sin..

And as I compare my spiritual condition to the reality of my flesh… that boggles my mind…

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I’m weak and broken in the flesh… but God looks upon me as being holy and forgiven...

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Why? Because He’s not judging me according to my record..

But.. He’s judging me.. according to the record of Jesus..

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The legalist, is all about their own record. They boast upon their spiritual accomplishments…

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But not us… even if we are drawn in and tempted by a legalistic nature… we need to bring that into submission to the grace of God. We need to bring our compulsion to shame and judge others who don’t do things as well as we do… to the cross, and drive a nail through it..

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Jesus has offered us all.. the opportunity.. to have our bad records.. swiped clean.. for good.. once and for all..

The gift of forgiveness and restoration.. the gift of God’s favor upon our lives..

It’s all ready been purchased..

All’s we have to do.. is receive it, by faith.

Band!

Invitation!

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[2] The New King James Version. 1996, c1982. Thomas Nelson: Nashville