Galatians 6:1-5
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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS
Bearing Burdens
BACKGROUND NOTES
DOCTRINAL POINT(S)
Believers should bear one another’s burdens.
Believers shall bear their own burdens.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Don’t think you are something when you are nothing.
QUESTIONS
Refer to Ephesians 2:8-10. What do these verses tell us about our good works?
Does God have a plan for your life? Specifically for you?
How can you identify the works that God has designed for you?
How should we deal with sin in our lives?
What does Galatians 5:26 tell us about treating other believers?
The law of Christ contains all the commands of our Lord Jesus found in the New Testament. How can this law be summed up?
ANSWERS
That good works do have a place in the Christian life, not as a means of salvation or as a means of sanctification, but of service.
Yes, He does. God has already prepared areas of service where you can serve Him with good works.
Get involved in the needs around you, and you will find the area of service that God has chosen for you. The rest of the body of Christ will let you know where you fit in and where you don’t fit in.
Walk in the Spirit. The more we are in fellowship with the Lord, the less we will be involved in sin.
It tells us how we should not treat one another, but we might treat them with these negative attitudes if we are not walking in the Spirit.
See Galatians 5:14.
DISCUSS/CONSIDER
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) The word “burden” in this verse can refer to failures, temptations, testings, trials, sorrows or suffering, as well as work loads. Question: What do you do if you see a fellow believer struggling under one of these heavy burdens? Give specific examples.
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1) In the restoration process, there must be discipline and repentance, but those who are spiritual should aim to restore that person with gentleness. What do you do when a brother or sister fails because of sin? Do you go to them and try to restore them? Do you bear one another’s burdens? Give specific examples.
“Each one shall bear his own load.” (Galatians 6:5). There is no contradiction here because two different words are used in Galatians 6:2 and 6:5. The word in 6:2 is used for a more heavy crushing load, whereas the word for burden in 6:5 is used for a light load. Are you bearing your own load? But remember, the Lord said that His yoke was easy and His burden was light – an invitation from Him to help shoulder your load.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10). One day we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and have our lives examined as to how we carried our load of responsibilities. “But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” (Galatians 6:4). Examine your service now in light of the judgment seat of Christ, not by comparing yourself to others. Each believer will bear his own burden.
CHALLENGE
“If anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” (Galatians 6:2-3). “And what do you have that you did not receive? Now, indeed, if you did receive it why do you boast?” (1 Corinthians 4:7) Don’t think you are something when you are nothing.
KEY VERSES
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” (Galatians 6:1)
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
“For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” (Galatians 6:3)
“For each one shall bear his own load.” (Galatians 6:5)
“Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.” (Galatians 6:6)