Conference yukon::christian_v7

466.0. "Galatians 6 musings" by TOKNOW::METCALFE (Eschew Obfuscatory Monikers) Thu May 05 1994 13:48

Galatians 6:1  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself,
lest thou also be tempted.
  2  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

This passage was brought to mind by another note from a fellow who has been
advised by others to tell another of a fault that disrupts the smooth operation
of the body of Christ, the church.  This passage makes it pretty clear that
merely informing a person of a fault is not enough.  The qualifications for
disseminating that information is (a) spiritual life, (b) meekness, (c)
and in empathy because we are judged as we judge - and this fulfills the
law of Christ.  What law of Christ?  When asked what the greatest commandment
was, Jesus responded "Love God with everything you are and have; and your
neighbors as you love yourself."


  3  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he
deceiveth himself.
  4  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing
in himself alone, and not in another.
  5  For every man shall bear his own burden.

Some people quote verse 3 in isolation.  Even in isolation, I would 
call attention to the word "when" which implies that there are people 
who are something and not nothing.  Verse 4 goes on to say that a person
who proves his work shall "have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in
another."  What we see is two possibilities: being something and being
nothing.  This is underscored by Romans 12:3  "For I say, through the 
grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of 
himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according 
as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."  I've seen people
use this to point the finger of accusation against others, claiming that
they are puffed up in knowledge and in themselves, thereby "thinking
more highly about themselves than they ought."  And the balance is missed
completely - to think soberly in accordance with what god has done fir
us, in us, and through us.

Now verse 5 is interesting because verse 2 says to bear one another's
burden while verse 5 says that we will bear our own burden.  How are these 
reconciled?  You have heard it said that you should look at no one for an
example, except Christ, because humans will fail you.  Therefore, look to
Christ as the example for living a victorious life without sin.  But
you also know that our example affects other people, and others do look to
us.  And so while we focus our eyes soley on Christ, we must live as if
everyone else depended on our witness.  The second this verse 5 says about
each man bearing his own burden is that we are not responsible for how the
other person fulfills his relationship with Christ; I am only to help
you with *your* load, while you help me with *my* load, and we bear each
others' burden, but my burden does not become your burden and your burden
does not become mine.  Helping another is a cooperative effort on an 
individual responsibility.

  6  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in
all good things.

Is this a case of one who knows the word influencing those who influence others?

  7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that
shall he also reap.
  8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but
he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
  9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap,
if we faint not.
 10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men,
especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

We understand the sowing and reaping verse, and sometimes tremble for it.
But what about the first part?  God is not mocked, so don't decieve yourself.
Decieve myself how?  With the second part of the verse, it points out our
tendency to "sow our wild oats" and then when the fruit comes up we want
God to take away all the consequences of our actions.  Some people view this
as an active punishment from God, but look closely at what it says:
Whatsoever a MAN soweth, that shall HE also reap.  Man is the cause because
he is sowing seeds that will bear fruit (for good or ill).  God merely set
the rules in place and gave Man the free will to sow what he likes.  And
we decieve ourselves if we think that we can do whatever we please and get
spared the consequences when we run to Papa.  Thank the Lord, that He is in
the redemption business and will forgive our sins, but the consequences of
what we have sown often must be borne with the spirit of humilty in Christ.
And so this concludes with some good advice: do good.  Because you'll 
reap good from it.

Mark