Carry One Another's Burdens

GALATIANS 6:1-10
“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. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load. Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
”‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:1-10‬ ‭NKJV‬
‬https://bible.com/bible/114/gal.6.1-10.NKJ

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No believer should ever think that he or she is independent and doesn't need help from others, and no one should feel excused from helping others. Pride is an abomination to the Lord (PROVERS 16:5).
The body of Christ only functions correctly when the members work together by the leading of the Spirit for the common good.
Do you know someone that needs help, or a brother or sister that needs correction? Humbly and gently reach out to that person if necessary with loving discipline, offering to lift his or her load (JOHN 13:34-35).
Jesus said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:37-40‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
To love your neighbor as yourself is to care for that person as you do yourself; to take care of that person’s needs when he or she is unable take care of themselves. By this you fulfil the Law.
When you do your best, you get satisfaction from a job well done, but their is no good reason to compare yourself with others.
People make comparisons for many reasons, pointing out the flaws in others that they feel better about themselves; by pointing out the flaws in others, they take the focus off themselves.
Jesus said, ““Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
We all need reassurance that we are doing well, so it is good to acknowledge good works, but in everything give God all the glory, for we humans can do nothing good in our own strength.
When tempted to steal God’s glory by putting one’s self on a pedistal, look at the example of Christ. His example will inspire you to do your best without expecting something in return, and His loving acceptance will comfort you when you fall short of your expectations.
Equally, we must not put ourselves down. The devil is very quick to try to convince us that we are not good enough, but to believe that lie is insulting to God, for He chose you to be a child of God, that you would produce fruit (JOHN 15:16). But that is not in your own strength of the flesh, but in His by the leading and power of the Holy Spirit (GALATIANS 5:16-26).
Even Jesus who gave up His Devine privileges as something to cling to (PHILIPPIANS 2:5-8) said, “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5‬:‭30‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
If Jesus acknowledges that He of Himself can do nothing, it is easy to understand we can’t either. Besides, it not my will that counts, but our Father’s in heaven.
Unlike Jesus, we humans all fall short, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬-‭26 NKJV
The truth is, we can do nothing good in our own capacity, but can if we believe, do all things through Christ who is our strength (PHILIPPIANS 4:13).
Paul said that students should take care of the needs of their teachers (1 CORINTHIANS 9:7-12).
It is easy to receive the benefits of bible teaching and then take our spiritual leaders for granted, ignoring their needs.
Therefore we should care of our teachers, not grudgingly, but with a generous spirit, showing them appreciation for all they do.
While giving up their time to teach, they are unable to work in another capacity to earn.
While we believers must be givers and ready to share the burdens of others, we must do so by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
When we give by the leading of our flesh out of sympathy or in the hope of receiving something in return, or that we might win God’s favour, we will give foolishly and eventually break our own finances.
Giving to the needy doesn’t mean subsidise someone’s extravagant lifestyle, habits, or laziness, for if one doesn’t work, neither shall he eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
My beloved, you harvest what you sow, if you plant corn, you would be surprised if potatoes came up.
If you gossip about friends, you will lose their friendship. Every action brings about consequence. If you are trying to subsidise someone’s elaborate living costs, not only will you break your own finances, they will never change; the truth is, you may well be undermining God’s work in that person. But by giving by the leading of the Spirit, you can be certain that God’s will shall be done and He will provide and bless you either here on earth or in heaven.
If you plant seeds to please your own sinful nature, you will harvest sorrow and evil, but if you plant seeds to please God, you will harvest joy and peace of mind. God’s peace that surpasses all understanding and shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ (PHILIPPIANS (PHILIPPIANS 4:7).
It is good to reach out to the needy, but it is discouraging to continue to do right and receive no word of thanks. But Paul challenged the Galatians, and he challenges us today, to keep on doing good, reaching out to those in need, and trusting God for the results, that we will reap the harvest of blessing at the right time (see PSALM 37:3-4). After all, it’s God’s blessings that count, credits from men is vanity.
Since we are called to love our neighbors, whether friend or foe, how much more should we love our brothers and sisters in Christ?
Giving is far more than money or physical food, we believers are called to reach out to one another both physically and spiritually using our God given spiritual gifts and prayer, seeking and removing the spiritual source of one another’s troubles; dealing with their issues long-term by bringing them to the throne of Christ.
Only then, will we by God’s grace, make way for deliverance, healing, and long-term change, not only in others, but also in ourselves as our very nature is transformed into the likeness of Christ (ROMANS 12:1-2).
All glory to God forever and ever. Amen