Galatians 6 expands on Paul's teaching about living in God's Spirit, which he gave at the end of Galatians chapter 5. It describes how Christians who live in God's Spirit should use His power to treat each other. To begin with, Paul shows that when a brother or sister in Christ gets caught by sin, other Christians should step in instead of looking away. Spiritually mature Christians should help to restore the one caught by sin with gentleness and humility. This is one of the ways we can help to carry each other's burdens. When the load one of us is hauling around becomes too heavy, others should step in to help that person get through that situation. In other words, life in Christ by the power of God's Spirit is not meant to be lived alone (Galatians 6:1–2). Paul encourages Christians to take careful stock of the work they do in the Spirit without comparing themselves to each other. We should be honest with ourselves and take full responsibility to do what is ours to do in following Christ.
Paul encourages those who walk by the Spirit not to give up doing good. Don't get tired of it, he writes. The harvest is coming! Use up all the planting time to do good to everyone, especially other Christians as we live as brothers and sisters with the same Father. For his part, Paul will not brag about how many people he has led to faith in Christ. He will brag, though, about the cross of Christ. That's where Paul was crucified to the world, and vice versa. Because he has been set free by faith in Christ, the world no longer has anything to offer him (Galatians 6:14–16).
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Questions:
If you saw a fellow Christian involved in a sinful act, how would you react? Would you approach them about it or would you consider it hypocritical to judge others recognising the plank in your own eye (Matthew 7:3-5)?
Action:
Consider how you might live life better in God’s Spirit always seeking to encourage your fellow brothers and sisters. Is there someone God is prompting you to share your burdens with or to help support them in their burdens?