Let us pray that we love God, others, and ourselves: Almighty God, you teach us by your Word that love is the fulfilling of the law.
Grant that we love you with all our heart and our neighbors as ourselves. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (NZPB)
When someone is caught in a trespass Paul steers “spiritual ones” away from fueling fires that produce harshness and bitterness; rather, he advocates a humility and gentleness that arises from an awareness and recognition that we all can fail (Galatians 6:1-10). A non-spiritual person desires to embarrass the person and tells others how bad this person is. A non-spiritual person parades the failure of another as if the person parading the failure of another is perfect. A non-spiritual person desires punishment and retribution with no thought of restoration.
May we not forget that the goal of reconciliation in humility is restoration and not punishment for punishment’s sake. God’s goal for humanity is restoration and not punishment for punishment’s sake. Like God in Christ, may we show mercy and forgiveness and not become spiritually arrogant.
Let us pray that our lives be a reflection of Christ’s life: Merciful God, you gave your only Son to be both a sacrifice for sin and an example of godly life. May we gladly receive all that he has done for us and follow in his footsteps being led by the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(NZPB)
Galax First United
Methodist Church
306 West Center Street
Galax, VA 24333
(Get Directions)
Phone: 276-236-9937
Email: fumcgalax1@gmail.com
Sunday Services:
10:30 am
