Live Creatively

Scripture:

Galatians 6:1-3 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. (2) Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. (3) If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.

Observation:

No Christian should ever think that he or she is totally independent and doesn't need help from others, and no one should feel excused from the task of helping others. The body of Christ-the church-functions only when the members work together for the common good. Do you know someone who needs help? Is there a Christian brother or sister who needs correction or encouragement? Humbly and gently reach out to that person offering to lift his or her load

John 13:34-35 "Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. (35) This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples--when they see the love you have for each other."

To love others was not a new commandment (see Leviticus 19:18) but to love others as much as Christ loved others was revolutionary. Now we are to love others based on Jesus' sacrificial love for us. Such love will not only bring unbelievers to Christ; it will also keep believers strong and united in a world hostile to God. Jesus was a living example of God's love, as we are to be living examples of Jesus' love.

Application:

Our verse today challenges us to live creatively by doing the following things: when someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, and don't speak a critical word against him; Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed; share their burdens. Then God says, "If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived." We live creatively by reaching out to those who have failed, restore them, and forgive them.

Jimmy drank too much at the party and embarrassed his wife Lisa. Next morning he felt bad and asked her to forgive him. She said she would, yet she kept bringing it up. One day, in discouragement, he said, "I thought you were going to forgive and forget." She said, "I have, I just don't want you to forget that I have forgiven and forgotten." Do you forgive like that?

Keeping score only works in competitive sports; it's disastrous in relationships. There's so much good in the worst of us and so much bad in the best of us, that we'll spend much of our lives learning to forgive and forget. And forgetting is harder when the offence is great. Small offences can be forgiven quickly; big ones require a healing process. But until you make the decision to forgive, the process can't even begin. How can you "Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you"? Paul answers in Colossians 3:12-13, "Clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others". To practice this kind of forgiveness you must focus on a person's worth, not their weaknesses. You must turn your heart away from what was, to what can be. And you must live creatively, looking for ways to forgive and to love.

You may say, "Why should I forgive?"
(1) Because God's Word tells you to.
(2) Because you yourself will continue to need forgiveness.
(3) Because you weren't built to carry the stress that goes with resentment.

Prayer:

"Lord, please help me to live creatively today. I refuse to nurse grudges, or to allow bitterness to simmer in my spirit man. I want to reach out, restore, and forgive and keep my mouth shut about those who have fallen. Use me today to show Your love to hurting people today. Holy Spirit, direct my steps, guide my heart, and lead my words. In Jesus' name, amen!"