Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

27 September 2025

Reading From Galatians 6

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.”

—Galatians 6:1-5

     This passage brings clarity on a number of interpersonal issues that come up as we learn and grow in Jesus.  The goal of bringing someone’s attention to sin in their life is restoration to full fellowship within the family of God, not to belittle or condemn them.  As we approach such delicate matters, it is vital to the health of the Body of Christ that we do so with gentleness, humility, and grace.  Great care should be taken not to indulge in the very same sin we are attempting to eradicate.

     It is possible to hold multiple scriptural truths in our hearts and minds at the same time.  We are to both bear one another’s burdens and also take personal responsibility for ones own actions.  Jesus gave us the perfect example of how to help others.  He spoke the truth in love, He showed love in practical ways, but He never forced anyone to do right or be in relationship with Him.  This grace and mercy does not mean that He affirmed people in their stubborn unbelief or accepted them into the Kingdom without humble repentance and a yielding of their wills to His.  We are to seek restoration, bear one another’s burdens, and take personal responsibility for our own actions.

“Lord Jesus, give us Your wisdom in dealing with ourselves and others.  I pray that our dealings would be filled with grace and truth.  Help us not to play the blame game, but to walk in humble repentance.  Your ways are higher than our ways.  Empower us to walk in them.  Thank You for Your goodness and mercy to us, O Lord our Rock and our Redeemer.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.”

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

—John 1:14