Feb. 25, 2024
“THE ROAD TO FREEDOM”
“LOVE OTHERS”
GALATIANS 6:1-10
“One another” is one of the key phrases in the Bible:
- “Love one another” is found at least a dozen times in the New Testament.
John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
- “Pray for one another”
James 5:16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective.”
- “Edify one another”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”
- “Prefer one another”
Romans 12:10 “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”
- “Use hospitality one to another”
1 Peter 4:9 “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”
As Paul continues his teachings in Galatians he gives us another phrase, “Bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2).
Paul describes two important ministries that we ought to share with “one another.”
- Strengthening The Saints (bearing burdens)-Galatians 6:1-5
Acts 15:10 “Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?”
This was one of the sins of the Pharisees in Jesus’ day; Matthew 23:4 “For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”
Paul sets forth four distinct imperatives for believers that relate to “bearing with one another.”:
*Restore Those Who Stumble Without Falling Into Temptation.
Galatians 6:1 “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.”
Paul say those who are spiritual should restore the wayward with “a spirit of gentleness.”
*Restoration is necessary when a person is “overtaken or caught in sin” the language implies that the sinner through weakness, has gotten themselves snared by the lures of the world.
*Paul limits the intervention to those who are “spiritual.”
“Restore”- calls for spiritual therapy so that a broken member of the body can once again work properly and perform its vital functions for the benefit of the whole body.
Ephesians 4:15 “But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head Christ.”
*Finally, the restorer must look to themselves to avoid falling into temptation, “…considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
1 Corinthians 10:12 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
- Bear One Another’s Burdens According To Christ’s Law.
Galatians 6:2-3 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”
Paul warns against the pride of deceptive self-sufficiency in vs.3 “if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
Galatians 5:14 “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus said, John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
The Spirit-bestowed fruit of love provides the supernatural ability to bear one another’s burdens with humility and gentleness.
- Taking Personal Responsibility With Humility.
Galatians 6:4-5 “But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5For each one shall bear his own load.”
vs.4 “…he will have rejoicing in himself alone…” How do we explain this?
vs.5 “For each one shall bear his own load.”
“Burden” Greek word “Baros” a heavy burden- “Load” Greek word “phortion” a soldiers backback- vs.2- refers to the need to come to the aid of others who cannot carry the crushing burden of the consequences of their sin.
2. Keeping In Step With The Spirit (Sharing Blessings) Galatians 6:6-10.
*Sharing Blessings
Galatians 6:6 “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
Romans 15:27 “It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.”
We have to remember that what we do with material things is an evidence of how we value spiritual things.
Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
In the grace-oriented, Spirit-filled church, pastor and congregation are to look out for “one another.”
*The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
Galatians 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8For 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.”
*Laws of Harvest:
:We sow and reap in like kind
:We reap in a different season than the one we sow in
:We reap more than we sow
:We must let go of past harvests and focus on sowing for the future today.
So we reap what we have sown, and we shall reap in proportion as we have sown.
2 Corinthians 9:6 “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
Paul now gives us a promise:
Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Matthew 4:4 “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
We have to wait on the Lord to get the strength we need for each day:
But Paul’s promises gives us help to keep going:
Galatians 6:9 “…for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Galatians 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
We as believers are to do good “to all,” and especially to other believers.
We are to do good unto all, this is how we let our light shine and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
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