Galatians 5:26-6:1-6 “Bear With Me” 4/7/2024

In chapter 5 Paul describes people who are practicing sin…they are still living the way they lived before they were saved…
So, we question whether they were ever saved at all.
But this is different…Paul is addressing brothers and sisters in the Lord…Believers!
And he is telling us how to treat others who are caught up in any transgression whether that be another brother or sister or a non-believer.
The word caught…can mean to be “trapped,” “overtaken,” or “overcome,” in any transgression.
The word any is important because it doesn't give us the luxury of picking and choosing which transgression we want to get involved with.
Because some sins are messier than others.
The word transgression can mean a lapse or deviation from what we know to be right…so it is an unintentional sin.
Or it can mean a willful transgression, where we knowingly violate a rule or law…we know it is wrong…yet we do it anyway.
But in the Greek tense of the word caught it carries with it a sense of suddenly happening.
So, I believe Paul is addressing those who fall into sin…it comes upon them suddenly and before they know it, they are overtaken or overwhelmed by it.
They know it’s wrong…but they get pulled in.
Then the roller-coaster ride begins…they sin and then are overwhelmed by guilt and shame…until they sin again…
It’s called sin, repent, and repeat.
This whole process can leave a brother/sister in the Lord struggling with their faith…and doubting their salvation.
Paul tells those who are walking in the Spirit to restore that person in a spirit of gentleness.