Galatians 6:1-18 = March 3

Burden Bearing,                      6:1-5

Synopsis:         If a brother sins, restore him in the spirit of gentleness.  Christians must bear one another burdens. The Christian must not be conceited. Each Christian has a burden to bear and must carry the burden.

1          Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Be overtaken in any trespass does not refer to a deliberate sin. It refers to one who is caught unaware by temptations and sins before he realizes the full implications of what he has done.  The term means a slip which might come to a man on an icy road.  Christians who have not sinned in this matter have a responsibility.  They are not to judge him harshly. They are to seek to restore the erring Christian with gentleness back to the right relationship with Christ.  Restore means to mend and bring back to the former relationship.  It is to be done gently, treating the erring brother the way one would like to be treated if the roles were reversed.  Christians need to realize they too might yield to some temptation. This keeps a Christian humble and from being Pharisaic in attitude.

2          Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

A Christian should help his fellow Christian shoulder every burden which befalls him if he is capable of being helpful. A Christian is not only his brother’s keeper; he is his brother’s helper. These burdens might be physical or spiritual.  As one goes through life, he needs the help of others.  When one helps his brother, he is fulfilling the law of Christ which is to love one another as Christ loved him (John 13:34; Galatians 5:4; James 2:8).  Christ not only commanded his followers to love one another, he demonstrated this love in his life (Luke 23:43; 7:36-50; 22:61; John 21:15-17; 5:14; 8:11).

3          For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

One of the worst conditions is to be self-deceived.  When a man thinks of himself better than he is, he is not being honest with himself. He is self-deceived.  A man may think he is too strong spiritually to ever commit a careless sin, or to be unfaithful to Christ.  However, the word of God teaches if a man thinks he stands, he needs to take heed lest he fall (I Corinthians 10:12).  Also, the word of God teaches that pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).  It is this spirit of pride such as the Pharisees had in Luke 18:9-14 of which Paul is speaking.  The person who is most gentle with others and understanding are those who have been through experiences and know how trying they are.

4          But let each man prove his own work, and then shall he have his glorying in regard of himself alone, and not of his neighbor.

One must not go around comparing himself with what others are doing. This is not wise (II Corinthians 10:12). One should compare his work with what the word of God teaches he should be doing.  Then he will have a true evaluation.  He can then correct his mistakes and be encouraged in the things he is doing correctly.  This also helps to keep one humble.

5          For each man shall bear his own burden.

            There are some burdens with which no one can help another person. Each person must assume his own responsibility.  Each man will be judged in accordance with his own deeds (Romans 2:6).  Each person is responsible for what he becomes.

Sowing And Reaping,              6:6-10

Synopsis:         Those who are taught should support those who taught them.  Every man will reap what he sows.  A Christian must do good to all men especially to Christians.

6          But let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Paul instructs Christians to give to the preachers who taught them honor, respect, consideration and financial aid.  Paul frequently mentions in his writings that preachers should be supported by the church (I Corinthians 9:11).

7          Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Do not be misled, God cannot be fooled or deceived.  God’s word remains true.  A basic principle of life is that one reaps what he sows.  This is true in the realm of nature.  It is true in the spiritual realm as well.

8          For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life.

The person who lives life the way he wants to live it will reap a harvest of sorrow and in the end be eternally lost.  The person who lives in accordance with God’s word will have happiness and in the world to come eternal life. Everyone will reap what he or she sows. There will be no crop failures.  However, a person may believe in Christ, repent of his sins, obey the gospel and be forgiven of his sins, live a faithful Christian life and reap eternal life even though he had previously lived a life of sin.

9          And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Paul now encourages Christians to steadfastness.  Well-doing is a broad term that would include doing all that Christians ought to do.  Well, doing would include bearing another’s burden; however, it would not be limited to this. There is a human tendency to grow weary. Paul teaches one must keep on keeping on and not grow weary. At the proper time according to God’s timetable, one will reap if he perseveres to the end.  There is no question about God’s doing what he has promised, the only question is, will the individual Christian be faithful (Revelation 2:10)?

10         So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of faith.

Let each Christian do good to everyone as he has an opportunity. Jesus went about doing good (Acts 10:38).  Christians must do the same. Christians are to do good to everyone. Their first obligation is to help fellow Christians, the household of faith.

Conclusion,                  6:11-18

Synopsis:         Paul ends the letter with his own hand.  He warns against the Judaizing teachers.  The Judaizing teachers do evil to glory in the flesh.  Christians should glory only in the cross of Jesus Christ.  Men need to follow God’s word and it alone.  Paul ends by asking the grace of Jesus be with them.  Amen.

11         See with how large letters I write unto you with mine own hand.

It was Paul’s custom to have someone else write what he dictated and sign it at the end (II Thessalonians 3:17). Paul is calling attention to the difference in the style of writing.  Paul’s writing is larger than that of his scribe.  This may be for emphasis sake, or it may be that Paul just naturally wrote larger than the scribe.

12         As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

Paul summed up his feelings concerning these Judaizing teachers. They were not really interested in the Galatians; they were only interested in themselves.  They wanted to make an outward show.  This has to be referring to the Jews because Gentiles thought circumcision was a crude and gross act.  The Judaizing teachers thought if they could get the Gentile Christians to be circumcised and accept the law, they could escape the persecution of the Jews.  They were looking out for themselves.

13         For not even they who receive circumcision do themselves keep the law; but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

The false teachers who advocate circumcision and keeping the law of Moses do not keep the law of Moses; therefore, they are hypocrites.  The false teachers wanted the Galatians to be circumcised so they could boast of how many Christians they had persuaded to be circumcised. Today Christians need to make sure their motives are right in preaching the gospel.  One must not preach the gospel just so he can say he has baptized so many.  One must preach the gospel to save men from eternal death and bring glory to God.

14         But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

In answer to the false teacher’s glorying as they worked against Christ and his cross, Paul stated he would glory only in the cross.  In the cross the world had died to Paul so its allure for glory no longer appealed to him, or its threats no longer frightened him. Paul had died with Christ to the world so that he no longer participated in its sinful desires and was not under the penalty of eternal death. Paul uses similar terminology in Galatians 2:20 and 5:24.  Philippians 3:7-8 is pertinent to this discussion.

15         For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

This verse is very similar to Galatians 5:6.  Paul teaches that being circumcised contributes nothing toward being saved.  The only thing, which really matters, is being a new creature in Jesus Christ.  Romans 6:3-4 teaches one becomes a new creature when he obeys the gospel, is baptized for the remission of sins and arises to walk in newness of life.  One becomes a new creature at baptism because this is where he comes into contact with the blood of Jesus and his sins are washed away. 

16         And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be unto them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Those who walk by this rule are those who put their trust in the crucified Christ and do not seek to add to the gospel.  Paul prayed for peace and mercy upon these Christians.  Mercy is God’s love directed toward the sinner whereby he can be saved though he does not deserve it.  The Israel of God is the church.  The true children of Abraham in the Christian age are those who have believed, repented, obeyed the gospel and are living in accordance to the word of God.

17         Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear branded on my body the marks of Jesus.

Paul had been troubled by the Judaizers.  He has answered them.  Paul was not one of them.  He stood with Christ.  Paul appealed to the scars on his body to prove he belonged to Christ.  The term branded is the figure taken from the life of a slave where he was branded with his master’s name so he could be recovered if he escaped.  Paul was referring to the scars which had been left on his body by the persecutions which he had endured while traveling through Galatia on his first missionary journey (Acts 13:50; 14:19; II Corinthians 11:25; II Timothy 3:10-11).

18         The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren.  Amen.

Grace is the undeserving love of God. This grace was seen in Jesus Christ coming to die upon the cross for mankind.  Lord Jesus Christ is one of the ways Paul likes to refer to Jesus.  Jesus is Lord meaning he is divine and owns Christians.  Jesus means he is the Savior of mankind. Christ means Jesus is God’s anointed one to fulfill God’s great purpose of redemption. To be with your spirit means Christianity was more concerned with the inner man than outward show.  Brethren means Paul’s brothers and sisters in Christ. This letter went a long way toward defeating the heresy of the Judaizing teachers.

OPEN:

• What kind of garden have you tended? What did you enjoy about it? What did you dread?

DIG:

• How do verses 1-2 illustrate ways of helping someone to "keep in step" with the Spirit (5:25)? What is the "law of Christ"? 
• How can you restore a brother caught in sin, and avoid feeling superior to him or being victimized by it yourself? 
• How does verse 5 relate to verse 2? Are they contradictory? (The word "load" in verse 5 does not mean a crushing burden, but rather a small, individual pack) What sort of burdens do your friends or family carry? How do you (or could you) help them with these burdens? 
• What is the main point of Paul's teaching on the Spirit-filled life (vv. 7-10)? Where in your life do you need to sow to please the Spirit instead of your sinful nature? 
• How does Paul sum up the motives of the false teachers (vv. 12-13)? His own motives (v. 14)? 
• Is your concern for creating a good outward impression greater or lesser than it used to be? Why? 
• Why does Paul call these Gentile Galatians the "Israel of God" (v. 16; see 3:6-9)? How is that a final rebuke to those who would compel these believers to obey Jewish rules? 
• What does Paul mean by bearing on his body the marks of Jesus (v. 17: see 2 Corinthians 11:23-30)? Why would Paul's willingness to suffer be a further rebuke to the false teachers? Do you bear any "marks of Jesus"?

REFLECTION:

• As you reflect on what you have sown this year, what harvest are you expecting, weeds? A bumper crop? Spindly plants? Why? 
• In what ways do people tamper with the Gospel to make it less offensive to others? Have you been tempted to do so? 
• In what way has God greatly inspired or convicted you through your study of Galatians? 
• How has your group contributed to what God has done in your life through this study?

SECTION OUTLINE SIX (GALATIANS 6)

Paul closes his letter with some final instructions.

I.    Paul and the Saints (6:1–10): Paul writes his final instructions to the Galatian believers, reminding them of three laws.

A.  The law of sharing and caring (6:1–5)

1.   The name of this law (6:1–2): Paul calls it the law of Christ.

2.   The nature of this law (6:3–5): Spiritual believers are to gently restore fallen believers back to fellowship.

B.  The law of receiving and giving (6:6): Those who are taught the Word of God should help their teachers by paying them.

C.  The law of sowing and reaping (6:7–10)

1.   Those who sow only sinful desires will reap everlasting death (6:7–8a).

2.   Those who sow what is good will reap everlasting life (6–8b-10).

II.   Paul and the Savior (6:11–18)

A.  Paul testifies concerning his submission to Christ (6:11–16).

1.   The legalizers boast in the ceremony of circumcision (6:11–13).

2.   The apostle boasts in the cross of Christ (6:14–16).

B.        Paul testifies concerning his sufferings for Christ (6:17–18): He bears on his body the marks of his suffering for Jesus.

STAY TRUE TO YOUR FRIENDS

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2

A little boy was playing outside when a neighbor asked him where his brother was. “In the house,” he replied. “We were playing a duet on the piano - but I finished first!”

That wasn't what God intended when He called us to work together! It's not a competition between us but it is how we support each other. In Bible days Roman soldiers' shields were designed so they could literally be hooked together. Each man fought for his entire line.

Paul lists the people he was hooked to; he called them his “fellow workers.” (Romans 16:3) Speaking to the church, he wrote, “All of you together are the temple of God...whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.’” (1 Corinthians 3:16, 22-23)

We are meant to be together. To need one another and to hold one another accountable. Only together do we have everything we need. It's about whom we belong to, not what belongs to us. Experts say we need to hear something at least seven times before it registers. And this is particularly true when it comes to acknowledging our character defects or flaws.

After a period of frustration, we often humble ourselves and asked for advice. Often we hear things we don’t want to hear, but we need to learn to listen. When we listen we begin to pay attention to things that strike a sensitive chord within us; it is often a signal that it is something we need to improve. The things that upset us the most, or that we often resist the most, are usually what we need to work on most.

If we give ourselves time to reflect on what we are told and seek improvement, we usually improve dramatically.

Thought of the Day: Don't be defensive; learn from the people you're hooked to!

 

MAMA WAS RIGHT!

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Your mama was right! We are who we hang out with.

Mark Twain said, “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but great friends make you feel that you, too, can become great.”

Why does the Bible say, “Carry each other’s burdens?” Because one person can only carry a burden so far on their own. American novelist John Toole discovered that. As a young writer, he worked alone writing a novel in New Orleans. When it was finished, he sent it to publisher after publisher, but they all turned him down. Overcome by rejection, he took his own life. Sometime, after the funeral, his mother found a coffee-stained manuscript in the attic and took it to a Louisiana State University professor who agreed to read it. Immediately he recognized its genius and recommended it to a major publisher. After its release, the novel won a Pulitzer Prize and was heralded as one of the twentieth century's significant novels.

If only he’d surrounded himself with friends who knew how to share his burden, encourage him when he faced rejection, and motivate him to keep going, his life could have turned out very differently.

Our job is to find friends who believe in you. Friends that encourage and support you and desire your support in return. Spend more time with those who sharpen you, make you better, and spend less time with those who drain your energy, time, and talent.

A person becomes more like those they associate with. This is why it is critically important to choose our friends wisely. Proverbs 13:20 warns us that we should “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Just like we are told, “you are what you eat," so too we are warned to “not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” (Prov 22:24-25)

Thought of the Day: Your mama was right! You are who you are friends with. When you find great friends, you have found something more valuable than any possession.

 

Being a Spiritual Disciple

In this day and age, there are numerous definitions for the word spiritual. Some might say that one who is spiritual spends time meditating on things pertaining to the soul. Others might say that a spiritual person is concerned with heavenly things, such as angels. Then there are those who would say that being spiritual is having a ‘holy frame of mind’. One cannot be spiritual without showing forth the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). Additionally, the apostle Paul sets forth a few other things that a spiritual disciple will have.

A person who is spiritual will never tire of serving as a Christian. For the Christian, there is no such thing as taking a vacation from your Christianity. No matter where you are, Christian service is a continual work that must be done. It does not matter whether you have worked all day, all week, or all month. A spiritual disciple will take time to help those who need help. There may be times when even the spiritual person gets tired of serving, but remember that we should “not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9).

A spiritual person will make every effort to restore a fallen Christian. Scripture reminds us that “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” (Gal. 6:1). Anyone who claims to be spiritual must be concerned with a soul making it to heaven. There is nothing more important than keeping a brother or sister from falling away from the church and losing their soul. One must first strive to get themselves into heaven but then make every effort to get their brethren there also.

Despite their faith and the encouragement, one may get from their brethren, there are burdens to bear that make your life that much harder. Things such as health problems, not having a job, or even persecution from those not believing in God, are burdens that all of us tend to struggle with. The Bible tells us that not only do we bear our own burdens, we also must “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). If we expect Christ to be pleased with our service, if we truly want to be a spiritual disciple, we must be willing to help others walk upright and share the load of life that we each have.

They that wish to be spiritual must understand first what being spiritual means. For those faithful to God, a spiritual disciple will not only focus on service to others but also act in such a way as to glorify God in their daily life. Strive to be spiritual yes, and also help others to be spiritual.

In Christ, Steve Preston

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September 2, 2009

Resisting Discouragement

by Rick Warren“So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time” (Galatians 6:9 NLT).

There are many things that work to keep us from completing our life-missions. Over the years, I’ve debated whether the worst enemy is procrastination or discouragement. If Satan can’t get us to put off our life missions, then he’ll try to get us to quit altogether.
The apostle Paul teaches that we need to resist discouragement: “So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up” (Galatians 6:9 NLT).
Do you ever get tired of doing what’s right? I think we all do. Sometimes it seems easier to do the wrong thing than the right thing.
When we’re discouraged, we become ineffective. When we’re discouraged, we work against our own faith.
When I’m discouraged, I’m saying, “It can’t be done.” That’s the exact opposite of saying, “I know God can do it because he said . . . .”
Ask yourself these questions:
• How do I handle failure?
• When things don’t go my way, do I get grumpy?
• When things don’t go my way, do I get frustrated?
• When things don’t go my way, do I start complaining?
• Do I finish what I start?
• How would I rate on persistence?

If you’re discouraged, don’t give up without a fight. Nothing worthwhile ever happens without endurance and energy.
When an artist starts to create a sculpture, he has to keep chipping away. He doesn’t hit the chisel with the hammer once, and suddenly all the excess stone falls away revealing a beautiful masterpiece. He keeps hitting it and hitting it, chipping away at the stone.
And that’s true of life, too. Nothing really worthwhile ever comes easy in life. You keep hitting it and going after it, and little-by-little your life becomes a masterpiece of God’s grace.
The fact is, great people are really just ordinary people with an extraordinary amount of determination. Great people don’t know how to quit.

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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Failure is never final.

You’re never a failure until you quit, and it’s always too soon to quit!

You can’t determine the greatness of church leaders by looking at their talent, wealth, or education.

You determine their greatness by what it takes to discourage them.

So what does it take to discourage you from going after your dream?

It may be as simple as a friend or family member telling you, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Or maybe it’s a few church members who simply refuse to get on board with the dream God has given you.

The Bible says in Galatians 6:9,“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”(NIV).

Many pastors wake up every Monday morning with a desire to quit. If that’s you, you certainly are not alone.

But God says this to us during those times: “Just keep on keeping on.”

God works in your life according to your faith.

The Bible says,“Without faith it is impossible to please God”(Hebrews 11:6 NIV),“Whatsoever is not of faith, is sin”(Romans 14:23 GNV), and“According to your faith . . . it will be done to you”(Matthew 9:29 AMP).

So what are you doing in faith?

You need to ask every day when you wake up: “God, what can I do today that will require faith?”

Spend your day listening for and obeying God’s answer to that question.

There are a lot of things in your life you don’t have control over.

You can’t control who your parents are, when you were born, or what your race or nationality is.

You can’t control what gifts and talents you were given.

But you do have complete control over how much you choose to believe God.

God uses people who expect him to act, who never give up, who take risks in faith—who go after the dream God has given them.

It’s your choice whether you want to be the kind of person God uses to accomplish his purposes.

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