Me Looking At Me

Posted by on April 27, 1997 under Bulletin Articles

Paul told Galatian Christians that concern for fellow believers is to be deep and genuine. When we see a spiritual family member who has been defeated by evil, our first thought is “rescue” (Galatians 6:1). The spiritual seek to restore the fallen.

The rescuer accepts two personal responsibilities in a conscientious attempt to rescue. First, he or she accepts the responsibility to act in the spirit of gentleness. Second, he or she will consider thyself {yourself} (KJV, NKJV), look at yourself (RSV, NEB, NASV), watch yourself (NIV), keep an eye on yourself (TEV), or not forget that it could happen to you (JB).

As I function in Christ’s behalf, I always keep an eye on me. The “eye” does not examine me to verify my “rightness” and his or her “wrongness.” My “eye” examines my spirit. Gentleness is a genuine, natural expression of spirituality. The spirits of censor, judgment, condemnation, criticism, or indignation are not expressions of spirituality in rescue attempts.

Even in rescuing the fallen, the spiritual are concerned about their own hearts and attitudes. Effective rescue attempts extend kindness in compassion. They do not throw rocks at the defeated.