Scripture Reference: Galatians 6:1-10
Bearing Burdens – Continued
A contrast in attitude – continued. From last lesson: The word “gained” used in Matthew 18:15-35 is the same word Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 to refer to winning the lost to Christ.
It is important to win the lost, but it is also just as important to restore the saved. If he hears you, then the matter is settled. But if he will not agree, then ask one or two spiritual people to go with you. If he will still not settle the matter, then the whole church must be informed and take steps of discipline. But Jesus goes on to point out that the church must practice prayer (Matthew 18:19-20) and forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-35), or discipline will not be effective. So many times there are those who want to skip the all important steps that the Lord has graciously laid out.
The legalist, of course, has no time for this kind of spiritual “soul-winning.” When he hears that his brother has sinned, instead of going to the brother, he shares the sad news with others – “so you can pray more intelligently about it, of course,” – and then condemns the brother for not being more spiritual.
Remember, the legalist makes himself look better by making his brother look worse. Thus Paul’s warnings here within these verses. The Judaizers were guilty of and known to be boasters about themselves, their achievements, and their converts (Galatians 6:12-14). They usually did this by comparing themselves with others (see 2 Corinthians 10:11). But such comparisons are sinful and deceptive. It is easy to find somebody worse off than we are, so that our comparison makes us look better than we really are. Christian love would not lead us or even allow us to expose a brother’s failures or weaknesses, no matter how much better it would make us look.
A man should “examine his own work” in the light of God’s will and not in the shadows of somebody else’s achievements. “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load” (Galatians 6:4-5, NIV). There is no place for competition in the work of God, unless we are competing against sin and Satan. When we see words like “best, fastest-growing, biggest, finest” applied to Christian ministries, we truly have to wonder who is getting the glory. Paul also wrote, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17). God alone should receive the glory for any and all accomplishments.
This does not mean that it is wrong to keep records. Charles H. Spurgeon used to say, “Those who criticize statistics usually have none to report.” But we must be careful that we are not making others look bad just to make ourselves look good. We should sincerely be able to rejoice at the achievements and blessings of others just as if they were our own (Romans 12:10). After all, if one member of the body is blessed, it blesses the whole body.
There is also no contradiction between verses 2 and 5, as some of surmised, because two different Greek words for “burden” are used. In verse 2 it is a word meaning “a heavy burden,” while in verse 5 it describes “a soldier’s pack,” so as many versions translate it, a “load,” something far different than something extremely burdensome. We should help each other bear the heavy burdens of life, but there are personal responsibilities that each man must bear for himself. “Each soldier must carry his own pack,” as it were. If my car breaks down, my neighbor can help drive my children to school, but he cannot assume the responsibilities that only belong to me as their father. That is the difference. It is wrong for me to expect somebody else to be the father in our family; that is a burden (and a privilege) that I alone can bear.
To Be Continued
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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