Day 3: Knowing Others

Begin

Quiet your heart and ask God to take all your worries and distractions, trusting him to teach and encourage you through his Word. Pray and ask him to open your eyes to the lessons he has for you today!

Read: Galatians 6:1–10

Reflect

Our identity is rooted in Christ, and our faith is emboldened by knowing that God fully knows and loves us. But how do we take these lessons and apply them to our life with others?

In Galatians 6, the apostle Paul offers practical instruction on how to live in a community shaped by knowing and loving one another as we have been known and loved by our Heavenly Father. Paul doesn’t shy away from what this means—he starts with the topic of sin. When we see fellow believers struggling, we’re not called to judge or condemn. Instead, our knowledge should drive us to seek restoration and extend grace. In the same way, we can depend on other believers to care for us and warn us when they notice us straying from God’s ways.

As we share our struggles and ask for prayer and support, we can encourage one another to remain firm in our identity in Christ. As we seek to build each other up in faith, we can also bear one another’s burdens. Paul rejects the idea that we’re all responsible for shouldering our own problems. Instead, he reminds us that fulfilling the law of Christ means knowing and caring about what is weighing on each of our hearts.

Whether we make a meal for a sick friend, organize a ministry outreach at church, pray with a friend struggling with discouragement, volunteer to help lead a Christian nonprofit, or visit an elderly church member who can’t attend services, we’re reflecting God’s constant presence in our lives by caring for one another. In this way, we function together as the body of Christ and demonstrate the selfless love that God pours out on us.

You may have already experienced the difficult balance of living in a community called to know and be known by one another. Paul doesn’t paint this as an easy calling. In fact, he reminds us that loving and knowing one another goes against our me-first natures. He cautions against the pride that can creep into our hearts when we think we’re doing everything right. He warns us to avoid focusing on the things of the flesh, which can only yield destruction.

But Paul also reminds us that when we follow God’s instruction and model the love he shows to us, we will see fruit in his perfect timing. God, who knows our hearts and is always with us, will remain faithful. Our identity in Christ means that everything we do for him has an eternal significance that we can hardly begin to imagine now.

As you finish this brief study and take these lessons from God’s Word with you, be encouraged by these reminders!

Consider

• Consider the people God has placed in your life. How can you apply Paul’s practical lessons in your relationships today? How is God inviting you to know and be known?
• When we are firmly rooted in our identity in Christ and assured of God’s presence with us, we can live and love boldly. Pray and ask God to remind you of these truths in challenging moments.
• Next, choose a verse that was particularly encouraging or convicting from this study; write it out and place it somewhere visible so that you can revisit it throughout your day. Ask God to help you use this small piece of his Word to keep your identity in Christ at the forefront of your mind!

Meditate

Spend a few moments reading and considering how this Scripture relates to the other truths you encountered today. What connections can you make?

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

John 13:35 GNT

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Thank you for taking this time in God’s Word. To download a copy of this plan, visit this page on the Bible Resources section of our website.