Run To The Battle
There's a Steve Camp song that goes something like this.
In the "wrap up lecture" of Community Bible Study last night Don said something striking. Figuratively speaking he said, "We Christians are notorious for shooting our own wounded". He meant we judge, criticize, and put down our fellow Christians rather than gently restore them to a right fellowship with our Lord.
As we see with Paul and Peter and other examples in the Bible, living a life in Christ is a struggle. Peter struggled with falling back into Judiasm and causing others to stumble (Galatians 2:11-14). Galatians 5:16-18 says there is a conflict between the Spirit and the flesh. In Romans 7:7-25 Paul writes about his stuggle. These men were not insignificant disciples. These were apostles, they were God's chosen leaders. The best of men are men at best - as I have heard Alistair Begg say numerous times.
One of the questions in the Bible study asks: "How then should we respond to the struggles of fellow Christians?"
When the previous question showed me that our souls are at war with evil, the thing that immediately came to mind is the Steve Camp song. We should respond by running to the battle. Further using the military example, we should carry out the orders of our Commander and gently rescue of our fellow soldier. We should pray with him, remind him again of God's grace as best we can. Bring him to the Great Physician, and then get out of the way of the Holy Spirit.
Yes, I'm humbled again. In reflecting how I have looked at fellow Christians in err, especially ones of authority I have been quick to criticize. I think "He should know better than that!" Instead I should have responded quickly to bring him to the Lord, to remind him of grace. It is the full knowledge of God's grace that breaks the bondage with the sinful nature. Romans 6:14.
Some people want to live near the sound of chapel bellsWhen first hearing this song I thought this applied to sharing the gospel with the lost. However, from last week's Galatians study it equally (if not more) applies to sharing the gospel with believers.
But I want to run a mission a yard from the gates of hell
And with everyone you meet take the gospel and share it well
Look around you as you hesitate, another soul just fell
Let's run to the battle!
In the "wrap up lecture" of Community Bible Study last night Don said something striking. Figuratively speaking he said, "We Christians are notorious for shooting our own wounded". He meant we judge, criticize, and put down our fellow Christians rather than gently restore them to a right fellowship with our Lord.
As we see with Paul and Peter and other examples in the Bible, living a life in Christ is a struggle. Peter struggled with falling back into Judiasm and causing others to stumble (Galatians 2:11-14). Galatians 5:16-18 says there is a conflict between the Spirit and the flesh. In Romans 7:7-25 Paul writes about his stuggle. These men were not insignificant disciples. These were apostles, they were God's chosen leaders. The best of men are men at best - as I have heard Alistair Begg say numerous times.
One of the questions in the Bible study asks: "How then should we respond to the struggles of fellow Christians?"
When the previous question showed me that our souls are at war with evil, the thing that immediately came to mind is the Steve Camp song. We should respond by running to the battle. Further using the military example, we should carry out the orders of our Commander and gently rescue of our fellow soldier. We should pray with him, remind him again of God's grace as best we can. Bring him to the Great Physician, and then get out of the way of the Holy Spirit.
Yes, I'm humbled again. In reflecting how I have looked at fellow Christians in err, especially ones of authority I have been quick to criticize. I think "He should know better than that!" Instead I should have responded quickly to bring him to the Lord, to remind him of grace. It is the full knowledge of God's grace that breaks the bondage with the sinful nature. Romans 6:14.
posted by Gary at 6:39 AM
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