Daily Devotion: Speak Up!

Scripture:
Galatians 6: 1-10

Main Verse:
Galatians 6: 10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Observation:
The first part of Galatians 6 talks about how we should deal with brothers and sisters who are erring, but it also warns us that if we are correcting them, we should be careful that we do not sin. We should be gentle when restoring the erring brother or sister (v. 1), help our brother or sister overcome the guilt that they feel over their sins (v. 2), and avoid the spirit of self-righteousness or the thinking that we are better than them (v. 3). We are accountable and responsible for our brothers and sisters. If we are indeed led by the Spirit, it is our obligation to rescue our brothers and sisters who might be drowning from the sea of sins.

Application:
Sometimes, we are hesitant to talk with a brother or sister who we know still lives in sin. Perhaps because we live in an age where people including believers in Christ have an "I-don't-care-about-what-you-do-so-don't bother-me" attitude. But what does Scripture command us? If the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we need to speak up and correct any brother or sister who has gone astray. We are encouraged to exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13) because our admonition will be the Holy Spirit's way of speaking with our erring brother or sister, which could eventually lead him or her to repentance. We know that God hates sin, and anyone who sins will not have any place in God's kingdom. Would we want our brother or sister in Christ to experience God's wrath?

Prayer:
Father, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit and for allowing Him to dwell in each of your children. Thank you for reminding me that I am accountable for my brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray that I can truly show to my brothers and sisters what loving in Christ means. Make me an instrument of the Holy Spirit at all times so that we may continue to experience God's love and not his wrath. AMEN.