Law of Christ

Doing the “right and just” thing may not always be the best route to further friendships. However, ignoring sinful behavior or something that harms a relationship isn’t a good route either. Paul mentions in Galatians 6:1-2, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

What’s it mean to live according to the “law of Christ” as in Galatians 6:2? In the context of his letter, Paul is dealing with some “Jew vs. Gentile” issues like the lawyer who asked about how to inherit eternal life (Luke 10:25). Sadly, many followers of Christ make stipulations for “carrying someone’s burden. Jesus answers the lawyer by telling him the famous “Good Samaritan” parable. That story focused on loving people by helping people regardless of who they are or what they’ve done.

Jesus continued to illustrate through a series of parables the difference between worldly kingdoms and God’s kingdom (Romans 8:5-8). Perhaps Godliness can seem impossible to live out at times. One of the most challenging attributes to adopt is forgiveness. To forgive someone who has wronged you is incredibly difficult for many people. Why? Pride? Vulnerability? There might be many reasons, but it has been a continual plague on societies since the beginning of time.

Jesus highlighted something in Luke 17 that I believe addresses what it takes to forgive the way God does – FAITH! “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you…” (Luke 17:3-6)  A tree requires soil to grow, and it couldn’t survive without it. In the same way, it’s a foreign concept to forgive people who wrong you without seeking justice. Showing mercy, forgiveness, takes a lot of faith in someone who just hurt you in some way. It may seem like the relationship can’t grow, but Jesus was illustrating the power of faith in those situations. To have faith that NOT exercising justice may be best for the relationship.

Jesus carried our burden on His shoulders on the way to the cross, and His approach was unfathomable by religious leaders and people knowledgeable of the prophets. 1 Corinthians 2:7, “We declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.”

God’s wisdom of loving a neighbor as our self seems as impossible as planting a tree in the ocean, but to have faith that mending relationships by God’s way can mean growth in that relationship is still possible regardless of how they sin against us.