“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. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”
~Galatians 6:1-3
In the above text, one of my favourites, who is the one for whom we ought to be most concerned? Where is the strongest warning? It is tempting to consider the one spoken of in verse one who is caught in a transgression. The wording implies the sin(s) of one of the members of the church has become evident to others: he has been “caught”. Perhaps caught in the moment, or perhaps a sin so pervasive and consuming that it is evident to all. Either way it never feels good in the moment to have sin exposed to those we live amongst. Yet the avoidance of such shame really doesn’t seem to be the focus of Paul’s warnings herein. The greater concern seems to be for the rest of us. Whether we are amongst those charged with restoring the transgressor or a mere onlooker, all of us are warned to watch over ourselves for the sin of pride and self-sufficiency is always looking to work its deceptive, destructive charms upon our hearts. The Roman philosopher Seneca wrote: “The primary sign of a well-ordered mind is a man’s ability to remain in one place and linger in his own company” in the face of life’s pain and trials. In other words, to take pride in self-sufficiency so as to not burden others with your care. Yet that is precisely the kind of life Christ calls us to live – lives which recognize and share burdens.
Burdens are a reality of life. Last Sunday Pastor Andrew referred to the groanings and sufferings of God’s creation (cf Romans 8) in this world as we await the renewal of all things in Christ. Burdens come in all forms and sizes. Some are the weight of sin as with the person in verse 1. Others come in the form of broken relationships, financial trials, or illness. Whatever the burden, we all have them! The text also clearly sets the expectation that burdens are not to be borne alone. Yet so strong is the temptation to isolate ourselves and marginalize others, that he warns not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought for this leads to not helping others who are ‘beneath us’, and not receiving help for we certainly don’t need it. In both cases we rob ourselves and the church of the blessings of mutual “one-another” ministry that fulfills the law of Christ. To this point in his letter Paul has frequently told us that we are not under the law, but freed from the law. Are we freed from the Mosaic law only to be burdened by an even more radical “law of Christ”? The answer is yes and no. Yes, Christ’s law is radical – but it is no burden! Moses gave a law but without a corresponding change of heart to enable us to obey. We remained stubborn and prideful, resistant to the rule of God in our lives. On the other hand, when Christ calls us to follow his law of love and liberty, he also offers us: himself to crucify the deeds of our flesh; and his Spirit to renew our hearts. We are enabled by God himself to fulfill his radical new “law of Christ”.
Bearing one another’s burdens is meant to be one of the great joys of Christian living. It provides the practical care we all will need at many points in our lives, but also demonstrates to all the nature of Christ’s radical self-giving love, and in so doing proclaims the Christian gospel. May I ask you to consider two things: is someone bearing a burden with which I could help; and secondly what personal burden ought I to share with a brother or sister in Christ.
Much love,
Pastor Gary
As we gather for Sunday worship, we want you to meet with God and be transformed by the Word. Prepare your heart by reading the passage and listening to the songs for Sunday.