Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load. (Gal 6:1-5)Obviously, just the beginning, but look how much is packed in 5 verses. First, Paul addresses believers "caught in any trespass." It's an interesting phrase. We think of it as "found out," but this "caught" is prolambanō which is "to be taken in advance." The imagery isn't discovery; it is to be overtaken. You know. You didn't plan this. You didn't expect it. But ... you find yourself in sin. If you discover a fellow believer (this is fellow believers, not the world in general) who has been caught up in sin, kick him to the curb ... no ... beat him roundly ... no ... "restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness." Wow! How often do we see that in the church? Avoidance? Sure. Righteous indignation? Possibly. Restore? And "in a spirit of gentleness? Not very often. Why are we to do this? So "you too will not be tempted." Sounds a lot like Jesus's "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" (Matt 7:3). Paul goes on to say "Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." Now, hang on. This is antithetical to human nature. We all naturally look out for #1. Look out for others? That's what walking in the Spirit looks like. That's what "through love serve one another" looks like. Paul warns not to judge ourselves in comparison to others. Instead, he says, "each one will bear his own load." Now, come on, Paul. You just said we're supposed to bear one another's burdens. Now you're saying we bear our own? It's not contradictory. We are to endeavor to bear one another's burdens and expect to bear our own. If someone else helps, we're grateful, but don't expect it. And how is that even possible? Walking in the Spirit.
The Natural Man is essentially pointed inward. "I deserve." "Get what's coming to me." "Looking out for #1." The Christian life is basically pointed outward. Love God and love your neighbor. Restore others. Bear others' burdens. But it's not like we're doing this on our own. It's by walking in the Spirit. If we lived this walk, we'd truly learn it's better to give than to receive. And, of course, we'd be faithful followers of Christ.
4 comments:
It seems that the bearing of your own burden has the same purpose as pulling the plank out of your own eye. If we are striving for holiness internally, then we will be more ready and able to help others along the way.
Yes, The whole idea of "restore in the spirit of gentleness" and "bear your own burden" calls for an entirely different attitude than we normally have or see.
I see the clear connection between this passage and Gal. 5:13. If I were bogged down with “keeping the law”--a demanding, self-absorbed effort--I would feel already burdened enough without taking on an additional concern for the burdens of others. The Spirit gives grace and love, whereas the burden of the law could foster a critical and judgmental spirit in me towards those overtaken in trespass. When I move from law to grace to bear another’s burden (and truly fulfill the law of Christ [Gal. 6:2]), I’m saying to my brother or sister, “I’m a sinner just like you”--the real “#MeToo” movement.
I like the "MeToo" connection.
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