Galatians 6:1-6 FAULTS AND BURDENS In the body of Christ, it is important for us to recall we are the "body of Christ, but members in particular." The saints of God are choice people in spite of our faults and failures. There is a special family bond when we work together in agreement on doctrine and practice. Those who go so far as to impose legalism and the law of Moses as a means of salvation, or as an addition to the work of Christ, are false brethren. They are not Christians in the Bible sense, even though they would say they are Christians by religion. With a very gracious and loving attitude toward the Galatian Christians, Paul addresses them as "brethren" - his brothers. No matter who they are or what they have done, we are still "members one of another." Therefore, when a trespass takes place in a believer's life it affects us as well as them.
"A fault" is not something we overlook as a personality quirk that may offend others who have a different view of the matter. This is a sin that does have an effect on others and needs to be dealt with as a problem deserving appropriate discipline that corrects wrong behavior. Obviously, self-discipline has not changed the behavior of this believer so others need to come near to address the matter of this trespass in a scriptural way. The point of writing about it seems to be that Paul knew some men act in a hard, overbearing way and tend to go too far in their correction of those who have sinned. Being led by the Spirit, those who demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit and live in the Spirit are the ones who are "spiritual" and thus are qualified to bring about the kind of discipline needed to restore this person. The biblical helper is gentle and firm at the same time but is also compassionate. Such a person will be alert to the temptation directed at them even when correcting the behavior of another. The objective to be reached for the one who has been "overtaken in a fault," is to restore, to bring to maturity, or to again "perfect" that which has been damaged.
Some of the people of God live with heavy burdens of personal suffering, family dynamics that don't have a solution, financial difficulties that seem hopeless, and ongoing emotional stress. When one of the Lord's people is being crushed down under these burdens of sorrow, disappointment, and distress. we are called upon by the Spirit of God to move alongside and bear that burden. Burden-bearing involves sharing the load, putting our shoulders under the burden another person is weighted down under, and helping that person to carry it along. When our burdens seem so heavy that we cannot go any further, we need to be humble enough to gratefully accept the assistance others are ready and willing to give. The law of Christ enables us to do what the law of Moses cannot do. The law of Moses put burdens on people that were too hard to bear. The biblical helper is willing to be involved close enough in the lives of others that he or she is able to help bear their burdens even though it may cause pain and inconvenience to me. If I refuse to respond to the need of others or I am too proud to accept the assistance another person offers me, I am "nothing." No one is deceived by the one who thinks himself too high to give a shoulder to carry another person's load or who is unwilling to admit to weakness.
The biblical helper is humble enough to recognize any strength he might have comes from the Source of all strength, our Lord, whose "strength is made perfect in weakness." Such a person does not think he is superior to others nor acts in a "holier-that-thou" attitude. That person is one who is willing to examine himself in a realistic way. As he looks into God's word, he sees the example of our Lord Jesus Christ and seeks to follow in "His steps." Self-appraisal can be a very beneficial act if we avoid comparing ourselves with other people. If God has entrusted us with a work of service for others, that is a great privilege. If the time comes when we are tempted to compare ourselves with others to feel good about who we are or what we do, it is important that we stop and look at our Lord Jesus Christ. All comparisons fade and self-exaltation falls to the dust when we focus our hearts on Him.
There is another side to this whole matter. The crushing burden we are called upon to bear for others is not the same as the backpack we are to carry ourselves. A soldier carries what he needs on his own back. A child goes off to school with a backpack holding all the things he or she needs to carry. Of course, they would be glad if someone else carried that for them but it is theirs and they are responsible for it. It is not right for us to complain about those legitimate things that are our responsibility and look for someone else to pass that job on to. We have the responsibility of "providing for our own," with food, shelter, and the necessities of life. To expect others to meet the needs we are to meet is wrong. Even to expect the government to provide this for us is wrong if we are able to work on our own behalf and for our family. Life by its very nature gives us burdens to bear. God allows and may send, adverse circumstances into our lives so we can be strengthened morally and become the kind of people He intends us to be. A sailing vessel may look beautiful, but with no wind in its sails, it goes nowhere. Wind from any direction can be controlled by the set of sails to go in any desired direction and accomplish a mission. Flowers that grow where there is no change of temperature may look good but have little or no scent. The tree is strongest that is often moved to and fro by wind blowing against it. The burdens we bear are a blessing to us whether we realize it at the moment or not.
The biblical helper is inclined to assist others in what they are doing or even if they are doing the same things. In that way, they learn from the teacher and support the teacher in his or her endeavor to help us. The principle of giving indicates that the more you give, the more you get. The biblical teaching regarding support for those who teach is that we should not ignore their financial and physical needs, but meet them. A generous and "cheerful giver" is one God loves. To show honor and appreciation for those who have taught us, and those who teach us now is never a wrong thing to do. This is not a salary given for services rendered by those who preach and teach. That practice is not taught in the scriptures although some may say that is the teaching of this verse. The onus is on the one who receives the benefit of the teaching to meet the need of the teacher, not on the teacher to contract with the hearers before (or after) he teaches. Financial and physical support comes when those who are taught are blessed by what they learn, and express that in a practical way from the efforts of their labor in another field of labor as they serve the Lord.
There are things we do that seem innocent at first But soon they become habits with chains that bind.
Then we are dismayed when we find we can’t burst Those bands which started innocently in our minds.
A habit becomes a practice that continues to grow And leads us into areas that tempt us to sin. As time passes by, the results begin to show That which started small then takes control of him.
A spiritual response is needed by spiritual men Who with firm, but gentle pressure, come along to help. Their careful guidance and correction by the Spirit in them Shows how this sin in a biblical way should be dealt.
Others of God’s people are weighed down by the burdens they bear
And there is no relief nor is their burden removed. We are responsible to come alongside their heavy load to share And in this kind of response, they are assured they’re loved.
When our burden is compared with what others suffer The little bit of discomfort we have is so small It is God’s intention that we bear the burden of our brother And be close enough to help when under the weight he falls.
“I thank Thee, Father, that we have been able to come alongside some of Thy people the last few days and were able to help them in some ways bear their burdens. Please deliver them from these heavyweights if it would be Thy will. If not, give them the needed strength. Thank You, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”