Day 187

I was watching a video on YouTube and this woman said that “the Universe does not know anything about negativity. So what you say returns to you. So speak positive words” or something of the like. And I know that they “Universe” is made up of matter and energy but there is One who created the universe and the Bible tells me that He sings over me, in fact He does a lot more than that: The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17. But the Bible does speak on something similar to what the lady mentioned about what you say returning to you, so let’s talk about that.

Galatians 6 is the final chapter in the letter from Paul to the church members of Galatia. Every letter that he wrote to a specific region was also specific to their issues and situations. Jesus also did this in the book of Revelation chapters 2 and 3, in the segment known as the Letters to the Seven Churches. In the second third of that letter to the Galatians Paul states: Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” Galatians 6:7. This is a well-known verse, but what is the context of this poignant line, that arrests our attention? The closing remarks of his letter begin like this: 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. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2.

Paul does not just say “if anyone is caught in any transgression…restore him in a spirit of gentleness” as a passerby. He actually lives what he preaches. Earlier in the book of Galatians, Paul has a confrontation with a brother in the faith. And was not just any brother, it was Peter, the disciple who witnessed the transfiguration, death, and resurrected Lord Jesus. Yet when Peter had erred, Paul did not ignore it because it was an uncomfortable situation, no he approached Peter in order to restore him, and not allow him to wallow in transgression and sin. Listen to the words that Paul wrote: But when Cephas [Peter] came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas [Peter] before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”” Galatians 2:11-14.

Paul understood the influence that sin had. I mean I think we all do. Eve sinned and influenced her husband to do the same, and here we are, 6000 years later. The issue that Paul was running into, was that Peter was behaving a hypocritical because of others that were around, which led to those who saw Peter’s actions to do the same, even leading Barnabas (a faithful follower of Christ) to be lead astray from the GOSPEL. And Paul could have remained quiet and not rocked the boat, but he stood up for the disenfranchised and those being prejudiced against by the religious leaders. Because just as he states that we should “restore him in a spirit of gentleness,” Paul also throws in a very dangerous yet true statement: Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” Galatians 6:1.

In his letter, he mentions by name Peter and Barnabas that had been tempted and fell into the all familiar pit of racial segregation. Peter would not eat with “Gentiles” because they were considered beneath the Jews, in the first century. And if this issue was going on 2000 years ago, what are the chances that it goes on today? The difference with Peter and Paul is that Paul was willing to: Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Galatians 6:2-3. Because telling someone that what they are doing is wrong, especially in front of others that they are doing it in front of, IS a burden. It is not a good feeling to tell a leader that what they are doing is out of step with the Gospel of Christ, in which they are supposed to be preaching, teaching, and representing. But because Paul was so committed to the Gospel and so in step with the Spirit of God, he did the right thing which also happened to be uncomfortable. And because Peter who had denied Christ before, recognized that Paul was stating the truth, in love, he took the chastisement or the “calling out” in love and in strides. After all, it was Peter who said: Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8.