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Galatians 5:25-6:5 is a helpful passage as we consider two areas of life that we ought to address as we engage in the active putting to death of sin within the church. Namely: 1) Character and 2) Accountability. Paul, in Galatians 5-6, addresses both of these things and further distinguishes between them as he seeks to help the Galatians (and us) know what it looks like to keep in step with the Spirit. As we, Anchor Baptist Church, consider what it means to walk in the Spirit as a church body, would you consider these things with me?

  1. Character: Walking in the Spirit with those who are in sin requires humility. Paul begins with “Let us not become conceited” (5:25). Pastor Danny helpfully summarized conceit as “to think much of self,” and “to think of self much.” As I have considered my own life, I have found myself falling into two ditches related to conceit. The first is to assume that I am not conceited; that I do not envy other people nor provoke other people. I am prone to assume that I am “not that bad.” Naturally you can see that this perspective drips of conceit. The second ditch is a little more deceiving. That is, to recognize my conceitedness and perhaps even repent of it and yet as time unfolds, demonstrate that I am not actively putting this sin to death. I find this one more deceiving because the acknowledgement of it often appeases my conscience just enough that I do not choose to continually address it. Thus, my own conceit continues to grow under the guise of “humility.” Brothers and Sisters, as we seek to walk faithfully with one another, we must put to death the conceit within our own lives and cultivate genuine humility. Would you join me in evaluating your own life, and assessing where conceit may be functioning in your relationships and how you might repent of that and cultivate humility?
  2. Accountability: We find in Galatians 6 that Paul encourages those who are spiritual (walking in the spirit) to restore those who are in sin. Likewise, with wonderful biblical balance, Paul states that each will have his own load to bear (6:5). Here we then see what we are accountable to. Do you believe that you are accountable to walk with others and seek to restore those who are in sin? Do you believe that in God’s wisdom the church is designed to restore you when you are walking in besetting sins? We as a church are accountable to one another. So often our pride prevents us from rightly seeking and/or offering help with sin. If we cultivate humility we can better serve one another in this way. But we also recognize, as Paul states, that each individual is responsible for their own conduct. If one is bound in the chains of a besetting sin, it is on them to make it known and seek help. If you believe these things to be true there is likely a weightiness that will begin to fall on your shoulders. We must work hard as a church to put to death the deeds of the flesh. So again, I would ask, would you join me in seeking to rightly accept what we as a church are accountable for and seek to be faithful in both seeking help in sin, and seeking to help those who are in sin? If you are able, join Headway. This can be a good first step in cultivating these habits in our lives, and as a church growing up into Christ.

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25), by faithfully and humbly walking alongside one another in pursuit of holiness.