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Devotion-Harsh Men Do Not Make Good Leaders-Galatians 6:1-5

By Charlie Vensel | July 17, 2007

Rev. Charlie Vensel
Delivered in Musoma, Tanzania
Pastor’s Conference
June 2007

Harsh Men Do Not Make Good Leaders (Galatians 6:1-5)

Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you won’t be tempted also. Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself. But each person should examine his own work, and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else. For each person will have to carry his own load. (Galatians 6:1-5 HCSB)

Back in the late 80’s, before I was a Christian, I managed a restaurant. I was good at it. So good, in fact, that it was not long before they made me the manager over all of the restaurants. I became a manager of managers. That was a daunting task. One day, I was managing younger people who pretty much had to listen to me, but they listened to me because they liked me and respected me. Now, I was managing my peers, many my same age, who in their minds, saw themselves as every bit as eligible for my new job as I was.

That was a tough transition to make. I was young and had risen quickly; many had been there far longer than I had been. Some were jealous and some were skeptical. It was hard to have their respect at this time. My new job was going to be difficult if I did not get them to respond to me quickly. Knowing better, but out of options, I decided that I would be a harsh man. I would be all business and all about rules and standards. I would be everything “they needed” to make sure they “stopped falling short of the standards”.

I was a harsh man and needless to say, that did not work well for me. I hope you will keep this story in mind as wee proceed. I think our text is touching on this a bit this morning…

Our theme in this conference is “encouragement.” We want you to be encouraged so that you, as pastors, may encourage others when you return to your flocks.

One of the ways we encourage others is found here in our text. That is, we are to help others find their way back to forgiveness and fellowship with God when they sin. This is one of our main jobs as pastors and church leaders; we are to watch over the flock. Nevertheless, I want us to make sure we wee the compassion we are supposed to exercise in this task. We are not to be managers who harass our people when they fail to meet God’s standards, but to encourage them and help to restore them.

The first thing I would like for us to see is found in verse 1, “Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit”; that is that we are to restore the wrongdoer gently. See, restoration is a gentle process. Paul asks those who are spiritual to do this. And here, by “spiritual” he means, those who are “Christian.” I think he is telling us that “gentle” and “Christian” go together.

We were objects of wrath before Christ saved us (Rom 5-8). We were powerless sinners, yet Christ died for us. God had compassion on us. As leaders of others, we are to do the same. We have compassion on those who are in their sins. As God brought us away from our sin, we bring others away from theirs. This is love, brothers and sisters.

Look at the second half of verse 1, “watching out for yourselves so you won’t be tempted also.” God is reminding us of his continued compassion and mercy. He is making it clear that we are very near the one in his sin. We still sin and need forgiveness ourselves, “there but for the grace of God, go I.” In today’s pagan world, it is very easy to mock sinners and unbelievers, to make fun of them, and to write them off as if God would have nothing to do with them. But, what would have happened had the person who shared Christ with you thought of you that way?

When we look at a sinner, we should see ourselves. When we see ourselves, we should remember Christ’s mercy. When we remember that mercy, we should freely offer it to others as it was freely offered to us! When calling a brother or sister, or even an unbeliever out of sin, we must be gentle and compassionate. Remember Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.”

Next, look at verse 2, “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” This bearing of burdens is in the context of restoring sinners. This bearing of burdens is to care enough for one another, and for the lost, that we love them as ourselves. It is the 2nd Great Commandment. We come to their aid in times of trouble or stress. We restore them when they sin…this is love. That is fulfilling the Law of Christ.

So, I leave us with a couple of questions:

1. Do you approach others with compassion and mercy, or harsh judgment?
2. Is love for God and man your fuel for ministry?

There is nothing greater in ministry than loving others as ourselves. Doing so will encourage us and others.

God’s peace be with you all. Amen.

Topics: Devotionals, Galatians |

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