"Getting What We Preach"Galatians 5:10b
The one who is throwing you into confusion, whomever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.
Thoughts for Today:Every Sunday school teacher, Bible study leader, missionary, pastor and parent should pay very close attention -- Paul is warning that anyone who throws God's people into confusion and causes them to become entangled in legalism will have to bear personal responsibility for what they've done. His words should be a gigantic, flashing red light of warning for the accountability that all teachers and leaders will ultimately have to the Lord.
James confirms this with his own parallel thought (James 3:1): "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." Every one of us who are involved in teaching or leading God's people must take our responsibilities very seriously and with a great dose of prayer as we seek God's will. In fact, Paul's instruction to Timothy is an excellent example of the proper perspective (2 Timothy 2:15): "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
Although Paul may not have been wishing judgment to come upon the legalists in Galatia, he is stating the consequence for their actions. In other words, anyone who preaches a harsh and judgmental God -- who will give us only what we deserve -- will indeed get what they preach.
Questions to Ponder:How seriously do you take your responsibilities for leading and teaching others? Do you seek the Lord's will? What is He speaking to you about now? Will you adjust your words, attitudes, and approach to Him? Is the God you teach the God of grace or something else?
The one who is throwing you into confusion, whomever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.
Thoughts for Today:Every Sunday school teacher, Bible study leader, missionary, pastor and parent should pay very close attention -- Paul is warning that anyone who throws God's people into confusion and causes them to become entangled in legalism will have to bear personal responsibility for what they've done. His words should be a gigantic, flashing red light of warning for the accountability that all teachers and leaders will ultimately have to the Lord.
James confirms this with his own parallel thought (James 3:1): "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." Every one of us who are involved in teaching or leading God's people must take our responsibilities very seriously and with a great dose of prayer as we seek God's will. In fact, Paul's instruction to Timothy is an excellent example of the proper perspective (2 Timothy 2:15): "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
Although Paul may not have been wishing judgment to come upon the legalists in Galatia, he is stating the consequence for their actions. In other words, anyone who preaches a harsh and judgmental God -- who will give us only what we deserve -- will indeed get what they preach.
Questions to Ponder:How seriously do you take your responsibilities for leading and teaching others? Do you seek the Lord's will? What is He speaking to you about now? Will you adjust your words, attitudes, and approach to Him? Is the God you teach the God of grace or something else?
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