Galatians 6:3-5
Bearing Burdens: Part 2
“For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.”
Galatians 6:3–5
So, last week we discussed how we are supposed to bear one another burdens, and in this passage we are told that each person will have to bear our own load? So, what gives?
Paul is not commanding each person to bear their own load. Rather, Paul is explaining the reality of what will happen if we think we can do life alone.
NOTE: For those who want to live life alone, I recommend that you stop attempting to get married. Getting married will force you to become accountable for someone for the rest of your life, period.
This is precisely what happens when we fail to read statements of explanation as statements of command, and when we fail to read in context.
First, we are commanded in verse 2 to bear one another’s burdens in order to fulfill the law of Christ.
Then, we are told in verse 3 that there is a reality and it is this: there are areas in each of our lives where we are weak. We are after all, as a church, designed to be a body. The eyes need the ears and the ears need the hands, and the hands need the feet, and they need the heart, which needs the pancreas, which needs the brain, which needs the digestive tract.
In other words, there are some things that we are designed to be really strong at. Gifts, talents, abilities that God has given to each one of us, and there are areas where we are weak and need the help of other believers who are strong in the areas where we are weak.
Then between verse 3 and verse 4 the idea seems to be that if we believe we can do this on ourselves, then the consequences of attempting to do it ourselves will be spelled out in verses 3-5.
If you choose to go it alone, then your own works, strengths, weaknesses, and everything in between will be tested, and further, you will be required to bear that load alone, regardless of how heavy that load is.
This is a principle that bears repeating. If you want to go at the Christian life alone, then you will be permitted to go at it alone, but as a result you will have to accept the consequences of going at this life alone. You will have to accept the consequences of not having other believers around.
Honestly, there are a couple of ways in which that might sound appealing, but there are a number of reasons why the idea of following Jesus alone should scare us.
First, we were not designed to live in isolation (1 Corinthians 12:27).
Second, we have gifts that can only be fully utilized in the context of community (1 Corinthians 12:7).
Third, for those who are inherently social, they need those of us who think we can do this thing called life alone.
Fourth, God observed in Genesis 2:18 that “it is not good for man to be alone”.
Fifth, there is no way we can follow any of the commands in Scripture that are given to one another if we are not living and dwelling in community with one another. If we are alone, then it is impossible to engage in the “one anothers” of Scripture. Here is the list of those
Romans 12:10
Romans 12:16
Romans 14:13
Romans 15:5
Romans 15:7
Romans 15:14
Romans 16:16
1 Corinthians 7:5
1 Corinthians 11:33
1 Corinthians 12:25
2 Corinthians 10:12
2 Corinthians 13:11-12
Galatians 5:13
Ephesians 4:2
Ephesians 4:32
Ephesians 5:19
Ephesians 5:21
Colossians 3:9
Colossians 3:13
Colossians 3:16
1 Thessalonians 3:12
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Hebrews 10:24-25
James 5:16
1 Peter 5:5
1 John 1:7
Concerning 1 John 1:7, why would we want to have fellowship with one another if we think Paul would tell us to bear our own burdens alone? Answer: we would not, because Paul did not.
If the purpose of forgiveness of sins is reconciliation, then one of the major evidences and major things that will draw others into a saving knowledge of Jesus is the love we have for one another.
Now, that love is not turning a blind eye to the sin of others. Rather it is a love that speaks the truth from a motive to see others restored to community with the Lord and with each others.
Speaking the truth by itself may be very destructive. Rather, in what we do, there should be a right motive, and when that motive is the ministry of reconciliation that we have each been given as Christians, then we are able to show love one for another. And for that sort of interaction to take place, we have to first be able to partner with the Lord to create a safe place and an atmosphere of trust that enables us to have honest interactions with one another. We cannot more deeply grow in love if there is little basis for trust. I can say and call you brother or sister, but can I really treat you as brother and sister?
I can say, “how are you this morning?”, and you can reply with the right Christian response of, “blessed”. However, can I trust you well enough to talk to you about my dog at home who is having an issue and trust that you will talk to the Lord about those issues and pray for my dog? Can I trust you enough to tell you about a negative situation at home and trust that you will pray and ask the Lord to move in that situation? What kind of emotional, relational, spiritual investment am I making in you and vice-versa?
What does it look like for us to really and deeply treat one another as brothers and sisters?
What does it look like for us to create a community where love and affection flow?
