Considerations

Jack Davis

CONSIDER YOURSELVES

Gal. 6:1-10, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted…for if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself…For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting…let us not be weary in well doing: in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” 

Scriptural restoration is on the basis of repentance – II Cor. 7:9-11. Repentance involves changes in attitude of heart and direction. Whether wrong conduct, in life style, or wrong teaching, the scripture provides for both. There is cleansing available for all – II Cor. 7:1. This involves more than setting one back on the right track, that has been caught in wrong doing. Whatever we do or don’t do must be by faith in the rightly divided Word of truth, and guidance of the Holy Spirit, having earnestly sought the heart of God in prayer.

God has provided that we not be ignorant of Satan’s devices. With an unforgiving attitude of self-righteousness and self sufficiency we could give our adversary an advantage. Therefore we well consider our own capacity for failure. It is spiritual for us to not be self-centered, self occupied, or self deceived – Gal. 6:3,7; Rom. 12:3. We each have need of rebuke, and of restoration. There are times when we need correction and find it is indeed a comfort, a most valuable bridge. The Lord makes us aware of a lack of our own steadfastness, so that we will thoroughly cast ourselves completely upon Him. By growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ there is an overcoming of being unlearned, and unstable -II Pet. 3:17-18. The Spiritual are capable of being tempted, it is allowed that the Spiritual may overcome the temptations – I Cor. 10:13.

We need to be aware that the spirit of meekness is needed in both those that restore and the one to be restored. The Scripture does not teach us to be lax on our own, accusing or excusing one another. Spirituality shown no sympathy on the flesh, especially our own. We owe the flesh nothing – Rom. 8:4-13. It must be judged – II Cor. 10:3-6; I Cor. 11:30-33; Mt. 7:3-5.

There are those born of the Spirit that live after the flesh. Those sowing to the flesh shall reap corruption, for they are failing to appropriate God’s grace. To each of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ – Eph. 4:7. There seems to be a taking of God’s grace in vain in differing measures – II Cor. 6:1-2. There is an insincerity that puts God’s grace to little personal and very little practical use, not taking to heart what grace teaches us – Titus 2:11-14.  There are those who are building their lives with wood hay and stubble, that defile many. Their works will be burned, rewards lost, yet they shall be saved as by fire – I Cor. 3:15. They won’t receive a full reward, but enter into eternity comparatively empty handed, without a full inheritance. These are often cut off before their time, die prematurely before they have grown up fully in the Lord. Our brother Paul’s departing admonishions to the Ephesian elders was to take heed into themselves and to all the flock –  Acts 20:28-32.

CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER

Heb. 10:21-25 “And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering…and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

“LET US” Times Three: Since Jesus, our faithful and merciful high priest has opened up a way into the presence of God for us, we also are encouraged to draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, and with a living hope – Heb. 7:19. It is our sweet privilege to thankfully apply or avail to the washing of water by the Word. The truth of God’s Word should have the effect of drawing us together. As we are drawn unto our Lord, we also are drawn to the Christ life in each other.

Paul encourages us to “let,” submitting to that powerful magnetic life within. We also are told to hold fast the testimony, or confession of our faith because of the faithfulness of Him who has promised, and is certainly coming again, and it should be very soon – Heb. 10:36-37. Forsaking assembling of ourselves together is not considering one another, but is usually pampering our own flesh.

Most of us have thought at one time or other, “if it wasn’t for people I could be an overcomer.” Habitual absence for gathering with  God’s people is skipping the opportunity to provoke or spiritually stimulate unto love and good works. Its effects are generally discouraging. If we are truly able to see the day approaching, our sharpened vision being shared should be  used to stir faith, hope and love in others to be ready for Jesus’ return. “Forsaking the assembling” is not an attitude of consideration of others but rather a laying aside of the privilege to increase being beneficial to the Lord’s body. Let us do it “so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” I am so glad we are able to see or foresee by faith, the day of our Lord’s return! Be ready, it could happen any moment! He has provided that we speak to each other unto comfort, edification, and exhortation. Assembling together we are to speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Assembling together we are to make melody from our hearts unto the Lord. We need each other’s mutual overcoming. An interesting and amazing aspect of being victorious is our striving together in interest of the faith of the Gospel – Phil. 1:27. “Standing fast in one Spirit.” 

We can be encouraging examples to each other of faith, purity, peace, patience and progress. We need each other’s prayers, whereby we bear one another’s burdens. Thus we may be better able to bear our own, fulfilling our bodily responsibility, with Jesus in focus – Rom. 12:5-21; 14:7-9; 15:1-7.

CONSIDER JESUS

Heb. 12:1-4, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”

While being surrounded by so great a crowd of faith’s victors (Heb. 11), we are encouraged to go on in God’s will for our lives in spiritual progress. We are to run our race with patience, casting aside all encumbering hindrances. Our adversary would like to get us so focused on, and even occupied with other’s failures and what we should do about them that we become weary in well doing – II Thess. 3:13-15. Lord enable us to take heart, encourage our selves in the Lord when others  are letting down. It is so very important that we keep looking unto Jesus, considering Him. He must be the single object of spiritual focus. The gathering center, our meeting place, our Savior, our Lord, Light and Life, who has captured our hearts with His love.

When we consider all He went through to make us holy, unblameable, in His sight. How can we help but look to Him to bring it about? His terrible suffering on the cross for our sakes should bring forth a cry, “Have thine own  way Lord.”

Peter seems to point to Jesus as the standard of sacrificial suffering, “Arm yourselves with the same mind.” Consider Him as the standard of full overcoming. Jn. 16:33, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Rev. 3:21, “Even as I overcame and am set down with my Father in His throne.” We do well to consider Him as an example of caring, compassion. He gave His all to deliver us from every hurt and hindrance, although we were entirely ugly, undeserving, absolutely bankrupt. Let us not live carelessly. Real joy is ours, when the reverse order is in effect – Jesus – Others – You.