BEAR YE ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS (GALATIONS 6:2)

Dear Members in Christ,

Bear ye one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2)

When the apostle wrote to the church in Galatia, he wrote, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2. Under what circumstances did the Galatians have to bear one another’s burdens? And, how can we apply this to our present context?

In his epistle to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul was writing to a church troubled with several problems. The root of the issue troubling the church was the influence of Judaizers who seek to draw the believers back into a religion of good works and human traditions. So the practice of circumcision and other customs became a matter of contention, “because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage.” Galatians 2:4. Ignorance has caused some of them to heed the false teachers.

So when the apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians, to bear one another’s burdens, it was an attempt to “help them to help each other,” so to speak. This is how Paul tells the Galatians to support and strengthen each other. 

A. Meekness and humility when helping a weaker brother or sister

Firstly, the Apostle Paul took great pains to explain to the Galatians how their salvation in the Lord Jesus meant freedom from the bondage of the rituals and the ceremonial law. Obviously, there were some Galatians who had fallen prey to the deception of the Judaizers. They have been tricked into thinking that observance of the ceremonial laws is necessary for their salvation.

Now, at the close of the epistle, in chapter six, Paul begins with a caution. Paul had this to say,

“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.” Galatians 6:1

The apostle Paul speaks of one who has been “overtaken in a fault.” The phrase conveys the meaning of being taken by surprise. This speaks of someone who had fallen into error unawares. The Apostle Paul does not tell the Galatians to shun such a person, but instead to “restore such an one.” Cults are known for the practice of shunning any errant members. But we read here Paul’s exhortation to help to restore an errant brother or sister.

We must also be aware that we are weak ourselves, and it is by the grace of God that we are preserved from falling into sin and falsehood. Therefore, if we have to help someone who has fallen, it has to be with humility. You might have read or heard this from somewhere. That is, if you want someone to heed your advice, the surest way to be heard is to speak humbly.

B. The spirit of helping someone to bear a burden

This is a perfect picture of a humble helper, or a stronger person helping a fellow slave. Are we not all servants of Christ? Are we not all fellow slaves to one another? If you see a fellow slave struggling with a heavy load, the exhortation from the bible is to,

“Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

The law of Christ is the law of love. We must view any person who has fallen into error just as Christ views us. The Lord Jesus looks upon every one of us with the loving look of a gracious Savior and Lord. Thus, we should be quick to forgive others and help to restore them lovingly. In the context of the present day, we find that Christians can easily fall into the error if they are not knowledgeable in the word of God. For example, they may unthinkingly say, “I am lucky to find this good church.” Or someone may unwittingly interrupt a group prayer, causing distraction or irritation. So, Christians should be quick to apply the law of love.            

Brothers and sisters, let us take heed of the exhortation from God’s word. Let us be ready to help a brother or sister who may be ignorant of some aspect of the faith. They may be young in the faith, or someone who is not well taught in the scriptures. The Apostle Paul says, “ye which are spiritual,” that is, you who know Christ, restore, help, and teach such a one. And the reminder to all Christians is to do it in meekness. Not with a “holier than thou” attitude, but with a humble attitude. The reason is quite simple. Except for the grace of God, we too can fall just as easily. Therefore, we look humbly to God for help and strength, and we also offer our help to bear one another’s burden. May God strengthen our fellowship in Him and our bond of love for one another. Amen.

In Christ,
Dn. Lim Seh Beng