Three Spiritual Tips from the Apostle Paul

Mike Hosey, an Elder

Paul can sure squeeze a lot of stuff into a just a few paragraphs.  In the last chapter of his letter to the churches in Galatia, he gives some very practical spiritual advice.  He makes many significant points, but three stand out in particular.

1)      Gentleness and Restoration are to be Favored Over Judgmentalism and Punishment: In Galatians 6:1-3, Paul tells us how to handle those brothers and sisters who have fallen or strayed from right living.  He tells us to restore them with gentleness. This means that we are to help them recover from their fall. One way we are to do this is to share the burdens of those in our church family. But more importantly, he tells us to watch our own lives so that we don’t fall into the same tempting traps that our brothers and sisters might have fallen into. We are to keep an accurate account of our strengths and weaknesses, so that we do not think of our flesh as more powerful than it is. One place you can find a great example of all of this advice in action is in Fellowship’s recovery ministry.  In this ministry, those who are spiritual and who have also experienced the pain of a fallen life, gently share the burdens of those now experiencing that life, and help to restore them to a right place with God!

2)      You Will Harvest What you Plant: In Galatians 6:6-9, Paul clearly teaches that if you live to satisfy your flesh, then you are going to get corruption and evil – so if you are constantly planting negativity, bitterness, and dissatisfaction, then you are going to get more of that stuff in your earthly life.  But if you live to satisfy the spirit, then you are going to get an eternal spiritual life.  

3)      You Might Have to Bear Some Marks: One curious sentence in Paul’s closing thoughts is, “from now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus (Galatians 6:17).” Paul is hinting here that someone has caused him trouble in Galatia – probably someone preaching a conflicting gospel. But more telling is his reference to the marks he bears.  He is highlighting his credibility by drawing attention to how his commitment to the true gospel is visibly proven.  

So take Paul’s advice and be sure to adopt a spirit of restoration, watch where you are planting, and understand that scars you receive in your commitment to Jesus are marks of genuineness.