Galatians 6 - Bearing One Another's Burdens!
Doing Good to All
6 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. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
Paul gives the Galatians a model for dealing with someone who is caught in a sin. We all sin, but in this instance sounds like someone who is trapped in a sin somewhat similar to someone who addicted to alcohol, drugs, or sexual immorality. Paul says not just anybody should seek to restore this brother or sister, but someone who lives by the Spirit. We might interpret this as a mature Christ follower. Someone who has established a pattern of being Jesus' disciple and acting like it. Again, this person is not perfect. No one is but Jesus.
Paul calls this, "Carrying each others burdens." A few verses down Paul says each believer should, "Carry their own load." What is the difference?
A burden is something that has become too much too handle. It maybe a sinful habit or a severe trial. The burden is just to much to bear on your own. Picture a man carrying a wheelbarrow filled with rocks. In these situations we are called to come alongside of our brother and sister and help them carry the load. Paul says when you do this you fulfill the Law of Christ. Remember how the Galatians had twisted the Law into legalism, where loving someone sacrificially fulfills the law of "loving your neighbor as yourself."
Paul gives one caveat. The person who is restoring should be careful not to get caught up in the nature of the sin, or they may be tempted themselves.
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
We may willfully sin and think we are getting away with something. But the law of reaping and sowing reminds us that our bad behavior always has consequences, whether we get caught or not. If nothing else, it affects our relationship with God and usually others around us too, especially those we love.
On the contrary, as we give the Holy Spirit full reign in our lives, we will sow seeds that will eventually produce a harvest of righteousness. Though you may mot see the rewards for doing a good work now, one day our works will be revealed. We will be rewarded for those works done by the Holy Spirit rather than those done in the flesh.
What is the difference? Good works done in the flesh are usually done so we can get all the credit and attention. Deeds done in the Spirit might go unnoticed by their aim is to please God not man.
Not Circumcision but the New Creation
11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! 12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[b] the Israel of God. 17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
As Paul closes this letter, he notes that he has written it with his own hand. What does this mean?
Paul’s custom, typical in the ancient world, was to dictate his letters to a secretary. But he would often personally write a short portion at the end, both to authenticate the letter and to add a personal touch. - Guzik
Paul points out that he wrote his postscript with large letters. Many speculate this was because he had poor eyesight and could not read or write small print. But it is more likely that he made the letters large simply for emphasis. - Guzik
Paul warns of those in the circumcision party who are boasting that they are the true believers and faithful to the Law. They also have the hidden motive of not being persecuted by the Jewish leaders, who were persecuting known Christians.
Paul says, "tongue in cheek", the only thing he will boast about is the cross of Christ. To be a follower of the cross of Christ, one must crucify the flesh and its desires and daily rise in the newness of life through the Holy Spirit. We do not parade around our works in pride, but humble ourselves like Jesus did. We know that those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted! Matthew 23:12
Are you a person who carries other's burdens? When you do good works do you let them speak for themselves instead of seeking the glory from them?
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